Electronic steering is replacing hydraulic power-steering in many cars.

ECONOMIST: Rational consumer

Electronic steering was developed in part to provide a lighter, more compact form of power-steering for small cars and for hybrid vehicles, which require steering assistance when running on batteries alone.

ECONOMIST: Rational consumer

Together, the camera and laser sensors monitor the white lines and, if the car strays out of its lane, an electronic control unit attached to an electric power-steering unit corrects it.

ECONOMIST: Motoring

Controlling steering using electric motors also helps to reduce fuel consumption and hence carbon-dioxide emissions. (Electric motors require power only when the steering wheel is turned, whereas a hydraulic pump drains power from the engine all the time.) Ford reckons 90% of its cars will have electronic steering within three years.

ECONOMIST: Rational consumer