British firms working in defence and intelligence fields have instructed their staff against connecting their mobile phones either via Bluetooth or charging cable into Chinese-made cars.
Executives at two defence companies told The i paper that they were concerned about spying by Beijing, which dominates the EV market, and as a result, they were taking a “belt and braces” approach.
It comes after the Ministry of Defence banned EVs from being parked on military bases and asked staff to park at least two miles away from select buildings because of concerns that the cars could be used to facilitate spying.
A recent report by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) found that electric cars posed a potential threat to national security as they were vulnerable to Chinese spying.
EVs are due to be introduced for all ministers and officials by the end of 2027. It is feared that even those vehicles made in the West with Chinese parts are susceptible.
All electric vehicles are deemed to be “connected”, meaning that data and information are sent out beyond the vehicle, sometimes over the internet.
However, there is no blanket ban on Chinese-made electric vehicles being bought for the government fleet, despite spying concerns.
According to The i Paper, the defence companies which have taken precautions against Chinese EVs, include BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and Thales.
One executive at a British defence firm told the paper: “The sale of Chinese cars is growing in the UK, and we are, rightly, cautious about that. We are making our staff aware of the sensible precautions to take if they choose to buy a Chinese EV.”
Another said: “It is safe to assume that every major defence supplier is concerned about the tech in Chinese-built cars.
“In the same way that government departments and defence firms have long told staff not to plug memory sticks into their work laptops to prevent security breaches, it is a sensible precaution not to plug your phone into your car because all the data could become vulnerable.”
It comes after Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, recently warned that Labour is “too close” to China after the government was forced to seize control of British Steel.
Luke de Pulford, the executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, previously told The Telegraph: “Any device requiring remote software update is vulnerable to manipulation.
“The issue with Chinese electric vehicles is that Beijing’s regulations make it possible for the Chinese government to use this capability for ill. With China having already been accused of spying on a ministerial car, this is a risk we should not take.
“If we can only meet the 2027 target by purchasing Chinese electric vehicles, with attendant security risks, the policy needs a rethink. National security comes first.”
A spokesman for the British Government said: “This Government has helped develop new international regulations to clamp down on potential threats in vehicle construction, monitor emerging threats and respond to any cyber-attacks.”
