The article highlights concerns about China's increasing dominance in the UK's electric vehicle (EV) market and the potential security risks associated with it. The former head of MI6 warned that China could disrupt London's traffic by remotely disabling hundreds of Chinese-made EVs.
Experts express concerns about EVs acting as spyware, potentially collecting and transmitting sensitive data, including journeys, text messages, and even work documents. This has led to restrictions on Chinese EVs entering sensitive military sites. Defense firms have warned employees against connecting their phones to Chinese EVs.
Key points:
Despite these concerns, the UK government is pushing for Net Zero targets, opening the door to more Chinese EVs. The government plans to replace its fleet with zero-emission vehicles by 2027, raising concerns about potential vulnerabilities.
The article points out that creating critical dependencies in foreign states is a deliberate strategy for China, as stated by Xi Jinping. This, combined with China's ability to leverage trade and market access for coercion, exacerbates the security risks.
The article concludes with a call for action, suggesting a potential ban on Chinese-made cellular modules in vehicles, highlighting the significant and largely ignored threat posed by China's growing influence in the UK's EV sector.