Security fears over an ‘invasion’ of electric cars from China have emerged as experts warn the vehicles could be remotely controlled to ‘paralyse’ Britain.
Professor Jim Saker, president of the Institute of the Motor Industry, said Britain faces ‘major security issues’ from Chinese cars, adding that there is ‘no way’ of stopping them coming under remote control.
In a report set to be shared with car makers and regulators, Prof Saker said: ‘The car manufacturer may be in Shanghai and could stop 100,000 to 300,000 cars across Europe, thus paralysing a country.’
According to The Telegraph, while regulators are able to test samples of cars for spyware or other security issues, Prof Saker added that checking thousands of vehicles is not possible.
As many as 30 new electric car brands are looking into the UK car market, most of them being Chinese.
Security fears over an ‘invasion’ of electric cars from China have emerged as experts warn the vehicles could be remotely controlled to ‘paralyse’ Britain (File image)
As many as 30 new electric car brands are looking into the UK car market, most of them being Chinese (File image)
Last week the head of Vauxhall-owner Stellantis warned of an ‘invasion’ of Chinese electric cars.
Carlos Tavares claimed that Stellantis faces a difficult scenario in which it must compete with Chinese cars which are less expensive while having to invest billions of pounds into electrification.
Prof Saker highlighted a report published this July, in which MPs warned that China has successfully entered every sector of the economy in Britain.
Chinese car makers have more access to the battery technology required for electric vehicles (EVs), meaning they can bring vehicles to market quicker.
Meanwhile, China is also more dominant in lithium production and refining, according to The Telegraph, owning many of the mines that produce it.
Prof Saker warned the UK has not done enough about the threat of China using its dominance in the market for key minerals such as lithium.
‘Virtually every country is trying to fight against an overreliance on China, except the UK,’ he said.
