The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has implemented new restrictions on electric vehicles at key military installations due to escalating concerns about cybersecurity risks linked to Chinese components.
These measures are designed to safeguard sensitive information and prevent potential espionage. At sites like RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire, personnel driving EVs incorporating technology from China must now park a significant distance – reportedly up to two miles – away from crucial buildings.
RAF Wyton holds particular strategic importance as it hosts the UK’s primary military intelligence hub and draws officials from all members of the Five Eyes alliance. The Pathfinder Building, located on this site, is widely believed to be one of the world’s largest spy facilities.
The new directives are not universally applied across all MoD locations but rather focused on select, high-security areas. Officials have expressed alarm regarding the possibility that EV sensors could be exploited for surveillance, potentially transmitting data back to China.
Here’s a breakdown of the concerns:
- Data Transmission: Modern EVs are equipped with cameras, sensors, radar, and internet connectivity which constantly transmit data.
- Potential Misuse: Cybersecurity experts warn this constant reporting creates opportunities for adversaries to misuse information gathered from these vehicles.
- Audio/Video Recording: Intelligence sources have indicated that EVs can also record audio and video both inside and outside the vehicle due to their connection to mobile networks.
Defence Minister Lord Coaker confirmed in Parliament that specific sites now enforce stricter regulations on EVs manufactured in China, adding that military personnel are now prohibited from discussing sensitive matters within electric vehicles over fears of recording and transmission.
Shadow Security Secretary Alicia Kearns emphasized the need for decisive action. “We know the risks, now we need to act fast to protect ourselves from them,”
she stated in an interview with *i* paper.
She is advocating for a complete shift away from Chinese-produced EVs within military and government fleets. Cybersecurity expert James Bore explained: “By their nature, electric vehicles tend to be more modern, they have more technology and intelligence in them, and almost all of them will report back to the company that runs them.”
Recent security sweeps revealed further cause for concern. A tracking device was discovered in a UK Government car—a device concealed within a sealed part imported from China. The discovery included SIM cards capable of transmitting location data, highlighting vulnerabilities within supply chains.
A former senior civil servant described modern EVs as “basically a big collection of sensors on wheels,” underscoring the potential for data collection and exploitation.
An MoD spokesperson stated: “Protecting national security is the foundation of everything we do. We have strict security procedures in place to ensure all sensitive information is protected.”
The growing unease stems from a broader concern regarding China’s capacity for espionage and sabotage within the UK, with Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith being among those voicing these concerns.
