The British authorities have initiated an inspection of electric buses manufactured by the Chinese company Yutong to determine if they can be remotely shut down by the producer. The investigation was launched by officials from the national transport service and cybersecurity experts after Norwegian specialists identified a feature in vehicles destined for cities like Nottingham, South Wales, and Glasgow that allegedly enables remote shutdowns. Ewen Steinbank, a Labour Party member of parliament from Falkirk, warned that this could “pose a threat to national security.”
The UK government is examining whether hundreds of Chinese-made electric buses operating on British roads can be remotely disconnected, highlighting growing concerns about Beijing’s influence on the country’s infrastructure. Currently, 700 vehicles have been delivered but remain unused by operators. Yutong has stated that it “strictly complies with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards,” asserting that the software in question is necessary for vehicle maintenance and optimization. The company emphasized that all data collected is encrypted and accessible only with client permission.
