The British government has been issued a dire warning regarding electric vehicles because of the possible danger that an influx of Chinese vehicles may bring to the stability and safety of the UK.
Experts have warned consumers that the proliferation of Chinese automobiles could potentially turn nefarious. According to the Institute of the Motor Industry president, Professor Jim Saker, the cars could be programmed and controlled from afar. This has been identified as a potential security threat in Britain.
Saker warned automakers and regulators in a paper that a Shanghai-based automaker might cripple Europe by being able to stall 100,000 to 300,000 vehicles, thus, paralyzing a city.
Samples of cars may be checked for malware and other security flaws. However, Saker noted that it would be impractical to inspect thousands of vehicles.
About 30 new electric vehicle companies, most of them Chinese, are eyeing the UK auto market.
The CEO of Stellantis, the company that owns Vauxhall, voiced alarm about an inflow of Chinese electric vehicles last week.
Carlos Tavares has indicated that Stellantis is in a difficult position because of the prevalence of low-priced Chinese automobiles and the company’s commitment to electrification.
Professor Saker brought up a paper from July that expressed concern about China’s penetration into all facets of the British economy. He warned that the United Kingdom had not done enough to counter China’s growing influence in the global market for strategic minerals like lithium.
According to Saker, almost every nation is working to reduce its overreliance on China, with the exception of the United Kingdom.
Chinese automakers can get their hands on the advanced battery technology vital to producing electric cars (EVs) more quickly than their competitors. China controls several mines that produce lithium, giving it an ever-increasing strategic foothold in the industry.
The number of registered battery-electric vehicles in the UK increased by over 40% from 2021 to 2022, reaching over 265,000.
