Electric cars are Beijing’s Trojan horse

The British Automotive Institute has released a report that suggests that hundreds of thousands of Chinese vehicles currently in use in Europe and the UK can be “switched off” at the request of the Chinese authorities at once and remotely. This, in turn, will lead to paralysis on the roads of the Old World.

About threat for automakers, the over-reliance on Chinese materials needed to make electric vehicles and batteries has been talked about a lot lately. Moreover, leading Western countries and Japan are already taking steps to reduce such dependency due to national security threats. However, argues Professor Jim Saker, president of the British Automotive Institute (IMI), the threat of potential Chinese pressure on Europe is not limited to this kind of dependence. He pointed to another potential threat – smart electric vehicles that were actually made in China. It is reported by the London The Times. According to the professor, it is they who can play the role of a Trojan horse due to “serious security problems.”

According to Professor Saker, between 100,000 and 300,000 electric vehicles in Europe could be remotely “turned off” by the Chinese authorities if they so desired: at the disposal of the Chinese establishment.”

The reason, in his opinion, lies in the fact that, despite the assurances of the authorities, checking all electric vehicles delivered to the country from China for the presence of malware or spyware installed in them does not seem to be practically solvable.

The threat is growing as 2030 approaches, when the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles will be banned in the UK. The Times recalls that at least 30 electric vehicle manufacturers, many of which are Chinese, are ready to deliver their products by this date.

The Times points out that China’s electric vehicle market was valued at $291.4 billion at the start of July and is forecast to grow by more than 6% over the next five years. In addition, according to Chinese government data, the country has already become the largest exporter of electric vehicles, surpassing Japan in this regard. According to the Chinese government, in the first quarter of this year alone, Chinese companies exported 1.07 million electric vehicles.

In his report, Professor Saker names several ways to minimize the risks associated with the operation of Chinese electric vehicles.

Firstlyto delay the introduction of a ban on the sale of new gasoline and diesel vehicles for at least five years.

Secondlyto provide more support for the production of hydrogen-powered vehicles, which are less dependent on China’s hegemony in the critical metals market.

However, both of these tips are unlikely to be accepted by the authorities due to the politicization of the topic of transition to green cars.

Viktor Buk