THE LATEST | CANADAAccording to a report by the Wall Street Journal, recent security tests in Oslo revealed that Chinese-made electric buses could be remotely disabled, sparking widespread concern across Europe regarding the integration of Chinese technology into critical infrastructure.
Testing a Yutong bus in a decommissioned mine, experts confirmed that vulnerabilities in the battery control systems could theoretically allow a “kill switch” to disable the vehicle remotely.
The report highlights fears that solar inverters—often made by Huawei—could be exploited via software updates to cause power outages. Similar concerns apply to wind turbine infrastructure.
As Chinese EVs gain market share, experts worry about the security risks posed by their sensors and internet connectivity.
Europe’s Chinese dilemma
Policymakers in the UK, Denmark, and the EU are upgrading digital defenses, proposing fines for unprepared companies and considering restrictions on “high-risk” vendors.
Governments face a trade-off between the security risks and the economic benefits of low-cost Chinese equipment.
Chinese officials and manufacturers deny the allegations, calling the risks theoretical and anti-competitive.
Experts warn that without early restrictions, Europe risks becoming dependent on insecure technology that must eventually be replaced at high cost, similar to the situation with 5G networks.
TCE