UPDATE: Alarming safety tests conducted by Ruter, a public transport operator in Oslo, Norway, have uncovered critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities in Chinese-made electric buses. These tests, carried out a few months ago, indicate that buses manufactured by Yutong can be easily manipulated, raising urgent concerns about public safety and operational integrity.
The recent findings confirm that the Chinese manufacturer retains access to essential software, diagnostics, and battery control systems. This means they could potentially stop or disable the buses remotely, posing significant risks for city transport operations. Arild Tjomsland, a special advisor from the University of South-Eastern Norway who participated in the tests, stated, “The Chinese bus can be stopped, turned off, or receive updates that can destroy the technology that the bus needs to operate normally.”
These revelations have immediate implications for the growing reliance on electric vehicles, especially as the global push for green energy accelerates. During the past few years, Chinese automakers have aggressively targeted international markets, including the United States, with cheaper electric vehicles. This trend has sparked fears of national security risks, with officials cautioning that such vehicles could be “weaponized” by foreign governments.
The Director of Ruter, Bernt Reitan Jenssen, emphasized the seriousness of the situation: “We’ve found that everything that is connected poses a risk — and that includes buses. There is a risk that suppliers could take control, but also that other players could break into this value chain and influence the buses.” This statement underscores the critical need for stringent cybersecurity measures as electric vehicle technology becomes more integrated into urban infrastructure.
These findings have been forwarded to the Ministry of Transport and Communications in Norway, prompting a re-evaluation of existing safety protocols. Ruter’s tests not only highlight the vulnerabilities in Chinese electric buses but also raise questions about the broader implications of foreign influence in essential public services.
As electric vehicles continue to transform urban transportation, the critical need for security and reliability cannot be overstated. The potential for external manipulation could not only disrupt daily operations but also place passengers in jeopardy.
What happens next is crucial. Authorities are expected to conduct further investigations and possibly implement new regulations to ensure the safety of electric buses in Norway. The situation is developing, and additional announcements are anticipated as more details emerge.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation unfolds and impacts the future of public transportation in Norway and beyond.
