Overview
- The UK Ministry of Defence has banned Chinese-made electric vehicles from sensitive military sites, with some staff instructed to park at least two miles away.
- Major defence contractors, including BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce, have advised staff not to connect phones to Chinese EVs via Bluetooth or charging cables to prevent potential data breaches.
- Experts confirm no evidence of real-world espionage through Chinese EVs, with risks remaining theoretical and demonstrated only under lab conditions.
- Chinese manufacturers, such as XPENG, deny allegations of espionage and emphasize compliance with UK and EU privacy laws, backed by international certifications.
- The UK Government continues to develop international regulations to address cybersecurity threats in vehicle construction and safeguard sensitive data.