Trojan cars: Why the US fears Chinese cyberattacks on electric vehicles
The White House announced a plan this week to ban the sale or import of connected vehicles containing “specific pieces of hardware and software” that could be made in China or Russia, citing national security fears. While the threat of cyberattacks on connected vehicles is very real, the timing of the US announcement is unusual.
US authorities have said they fear that vehicles containing the components, including trucks and buses, could become Trojan horses for Chinese sabotage.
It’s the second announcement targeting electric vehicles in six months from the US government.
Washington imposed a 100% border tax on electric vehicles from China in May, an action the White House said was aimed at protecting North American jobs from the Chinese automobile industry, which is supported by state subsidies.
Although the new ban announced on Monday will hit both Moscow and Beijing, the Chinese automobile industry is again the main target.
If approved by Congress, the new US bans would come into effect in 2027 for software and in 2030 for hardware.
“Malicious access to these systems could allow adversaries to access and collect our most sensitive data and remotely manipulate cars on American roads,” according to a statement from the Department of Commerce.
Compromised connected vehicles can also be manipulated physically.
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