Overview
- The Department for Transport and the National Cyber Security Centre confirmed the Norwegian finding that remote disablement is technically feasible via onboard connectivity.
- Roughly 700 Yutong electric buses operate in the UK, with major operators such as Stagecoach and First Bus thought to run around 200 each.
- Investigators report no instances of buses being switched off remotely, and government security analysts currently assess the likelihood of use as low.
- Whitehall sources say ministers lack grounds to block sales without concrete evidence, noting potential diplomatic repercussions with China.
- Local uptake continues, with Nottingham replacing all single-deckers with Yutong models and planning double-decker conversions by 2026, as Norway imposes firewall requirements to curb cyber risk.