Chinese electric vehicles being driven in Britain could be “weaponised” and should be banned from government use, a report has warned.
Modules within Chinese-made electric vehicles - could transmit sensitive data back to the country or even be remotely controlled, the China Strategic Risks Institute (CSRI) warned.
The think tank called for an end to Chinese carmakers being able to win government contracts. Last year it emerged that the Ministry of Defence used electric cars made by Chinese-owned MG.
Whitehall departments are buying up electric cars in an attempt to decarbonise their fleets. The report said the vehicles present a potentially greater security risk than petrol-powered vehicles because they are more likely to be equipped with internet-connected modules capable of collecting data and controlling the car’s functions.
“The UK public remains largely unaware of the dependency, disruption, and data security risks Chinese EVs pose via Chinese manufactured Cellular Internet of Things Modules (CIMs) within them,” it said.
Meanwhile in other news: Lord Mandelson (honorary president of the Great Britain–China Centre) has promised warmer UK relations with China...
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