UK military sites ban EVs with Chinese parts over spying fears

Some sensitive military sites in the UK are banning electric vehicles with Chinese tech

fearing Beijing is using the equipment to spy, sparking national security concerns

Officials at an airbase in Cambridgeshire, which is home to vital intelligence operations

say EVs cannot be parked near the site and must remain at least two miles away

UK officials say the order does not impact all military installations, only individual sites, but did not reveal how many are impacted

citing security concerns, adding they have issued appropriate internal direction to all drivers and passengers

Beijing is the global leader in battery tech and sensors, with practically all EVs reportedly equipped with some Chinese parts

Defense officials say they're concerned this technology could be used to gather sensitive data through remote means

and to eavesdrop on conversations within the vehicles. A report from the country Defense Science and Technology Lab calls EEVs mobile spying platforms including ones made in the West with Chinese parts The findings follow the reported discovery of a hidden Chinese tracking device in former

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's car in 2023. Sunak's administration did not deny the report

These warnings come as an all-EV fleet is set to be used by U.K. central government officials by

the end of 2027, involving 40,000 government vehicles. UK officials say there are security

exemptions for vehicles used in covert surveillance operations, but any agency seeking the exemption

must prove it explored all available options to meet the commitment first. The current EV

transition plan reportedly does not ban the government from purchasing Chinese-made EVs

for the fleet, which could lead to efforts being scrapped. The nation's Department of

Transportation refutes any notion it will abandon the plan, saying it remains committed to converting

all government vehicles to green energy. For more unbiased updates, download the Straight Arrow News app