BREAKING: Recent safety tests conducted by Ruter, a public transport operator in Oslo, Norway, have raised alarming cybersecurity concerns regarding Chinese-manufactured electric buses. The tests, which were conducted secretly a few months ago, revealed that a bus from Yutong, a major Chinese manufacturer, could be manipulated remotely, posing significant risks to public safety.
The findings indicate that Yutong has access to critical systems within the buses, including software, diagnostics, and battery controls. This access permits the manufacturer to stop or disable the bus at will. Ruter’s Director, Bernt Reitan Jenssen, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “We’ve found that everything that is connected poses a risk — and that includes buses.”
Arild Tjomsland, a special advisor at the University of South-Eastern Norway who participated in the tests, highlighted the potential repercussions: “The Chinese bus can be stopped, turned off, or receive updates that can destroy the technology that the bus needs to operate normally.” This capability raises fears that these buses could be used as leverage in a crisis or could disrupt transport services significantly.
Earlier this year, during former President Joe Biden’s push for green energy, Chinese automakers were poised to flood the U.S. market with affordable electric vehicles, raising further concerns in light of these findings. Experts warn that the British government’s open-door policy towards electric vehicles from China may expose national security risks, with warnings that such vehicles could potentially be “weaponized” by Beijing.
In light of these developments, Ruter has forwarded the test results to officials at the Ministry of Transport and Communications in Norway, calling for urgent attention and action. The implications of this report extend beyond Norway, as global markets consider the safety and security of electric vehicles manufactured in China.
As the conversation around cybersecurity in the transportation sector intensifies, the situation in Oslo serves as a crucial reminder of the need for stringent safety measures and oversight in the rapidly growing electric vehicle market.
What’s Next: Authorities are expected to respond to these findings soon, with potential implications for electric bus operations both in Norway and internationally. As more details emerge, stakeholders across the transportation and automotive sectors must remain vigilant regarding the security of connected vehicles.
Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds.
