Are Chinese EVs Being Used for Espionage?

ArabGT

a day ago

Electric vehicles (EVs) have rapidly transformed from niche technology into a dominant global trend. In 2024 alone, over 17 million EVs and plug-in hybrids were sold worldwide — with China accounting for a staggering 11 million of those units. Brands like BYD, NIO, and XPeng are now household names, offering everything from budget compacts like the Dolphin (also known as Seagull) to luxury SUVs bristling with smart features. Chinese EVs are no longer rare sightings on Western roads — they're front and center in showrooms from Berlin to Los Angeles. BYD recently overtook Tesla as the world's top EV manufacturer, and its ambitions are crystal clear: dominate the global EV landscape within the decade.
This explosive rise hasn't gone unnoticed in Western capitals. Alarmed by China's low production costs, state-backed subsidies, and expanding market share, governments across the U.S. and Europe have begun pushing back. In 2024, the U.S. raised tariffs on Chinese EVs from 25% to 100%, effectively locking them out of the American market. The European Commission followed with anti-subsidy investigations and provisional duties reaching 35% or more, aiming to curb what it sees as unfair competition. While the UK has yet to impose similar national measures, quiet restrictions have emerged around sensitive military sites.
But trade protection is only part of the picture. A darker question looms beneath the surface: could these Chinese EVs serve as tools of espionage?
Western intelligence agencies and lawmakers have expressed growing concern. Modern EVs are, quite literally, computers on wheels — and some believe they might be the perfect Trojan horse. These vehicles are equipped with GPS tracking, high-resolution cameras, microphones, and over-the-air software update systems. Officials in the U.S., EU, UK, and Australia have all warned that this connectivity — especially when manufactured by firms under Chinese jurisdiction — creates real national security risks. U.S. senators have publicly speculated that such cars could map roads, track government movements, or even be remotely disabled in a cyber conflict.
Is such a threat technically possible? On a purely theoretical level, yes. A single modern EV can generate more than 1,000 GB of data per hour. This includes GPS logs, driver behavior, video feeds, microphone input, and even synced smartphone data. Chinese EVs like the NIO ES8 have been observed transmitting up to 90% of their data traffic to servers in China. Given China's 2017 National Intelligence Law — which compels domestic firms to cooperate with state authorities — critics fear that this data could be accessed by Beijing.
Modern EVs introduce cybersecurity risks because of their connected architecture. Components like modems, processors, and infotainment systems — essential for internet access, vehicle control, and smartphone integration — can also create vulnerabilities. Cellular modules in particular could be exploited to intercept data or link to internal systems. Over-the-air (OTA) updates add another layer of risk, as compromised software could enable surveillance or remote interference. With their built-in radios, cameras, microphones, and sensors, EVs are already powerful data collectors. Experts warn that if misused, they could operate as passive surveillance platforms, transmitting sensitive information without driver awareness.
Yet for all the speculation, direct proof of espionage remains elusive. No major public incident has confirmed that a Chinese EV has been used to spy on Western governments or citizens. Even high-level officials acknowledge the risk is hypothetical — not proven. As some analysts point out, China has far more efficient means of surveillance, such as mobile apps, telecom infrastructure, and smart devices. Moreover, any misuse of EV platforms could backfire disastrously, damaging China's global economic interests.
Beijing, for its part, has flatly denied the accusations. In response to British and American concerns, Chinese officials have called the claims 'baseless' and 'irrational.' The Chinese embassy in London emphasized its support for open supply chains and noted that no credible evidence has shown Chinese cars pose an actual security threat.
And here lies the contradiction: if EVs are a threat, what about smartphones? Or routers? Or smart speakers and wearables? Chinese technology is already embedded deeply in Western lifestyles — from the phones we carry to the cameras on our streets. Even vehicles made by German or American brands often contain Chinese-made components. The truth is, data risks are everywhere in a hyper-connected world.
So, are Chinese EVs espionage tools? The answer lies in a gray zone. The potential exists, but the danger — at least so far — is more symbolic than operational. What we're witnessing is not just a security debate, but a geopolitical clash over technology, influence, and control. In that context, EVs are just the latest frontier.