Mercedes-Benz to Launch Steer-by-Wire EQS in 2026 as EV Industry Tackles Gear Noise

Mercedes‑Benz will become the first European OEM to equip its EQS sedan with steer‑by‑wire (SBW) technology in series production from 2026, using a system supplied by ZF Friedrichshafen. ZF also provides steering actuators and software for the Nio ET9, which has been on the Chinese market since 2025. Bosch announced it will introduce its first SBW system in China in 2026, with broader rollout planned for 2028, and has a technology partnership with Nio covering SBW. Thyssenkrupp Lenksysteme expects its first SBW series projects to start in 2028, while Schaeffler is developing mechatronic components for SBW. Arnold NextG, a pioneer in SBW, already produces low‑volume SBW systems for passenger cars.

Separately, experts note that electric vehicles still use gearboxes, which can generate unwanted noise. Counter‑intuitively, perfectly machined gears may amplify certain sounds. Quality‑assurance processes and digital‑twin simulations are being employed to identify and reduce gearbox noise in EVs.