Experts Flag Chinese Brain in Indian EV Boom
Point to likely foreign control as 80% parts made in China
Hyderabad: Experts have raised serious concerns over the security vulnerabilities in Electric Vehicles (EVs) and electric buses, particularly those equipped with Electronic Control Modules (ECMs), the brain of the vehicle.
They explained that the ECM tracks all vehicle movements and stores operational data, including speed, location, and system performance. This information can be transmitted back to the manufacturer, who, in some cases, may also retain remote control capabilities over the vehicle.
The worrying aspect, experts said, is that over 80 per cent of EV components used in India are of Chinese origin, raising national security and data privacy concerns.
Currently, the Road Transport Authorities (RTAs) conduct only physical fitness checks of vehicles, while state and central transport departments lack mechanisms to monitor or regulate ECM software. Experts warned that these ECMs can track a user’s movement, route patterns, and timings, potentially functioning like a “Trojan horse” if exploited.
They have urged authorities to take immediate steps to strengthen cyber and data security measures in the transport sector, including amending existing vehicle regulations to cover digital components and software integrity.
India has seen a rapid transformation in the adoption of electric vehicles, ranging from two-wheelers to SUVs and large buses. According to the transport department, India currently has over 56 lakh EVs, with annual sales growing by nearly 24 per cent in 2024.
Providing technical insights, Satya Narayan Patri, managing director of Kross Mark, a manufacturer of electric buses and other EVs, said: “Most EV components in India are of Chinese origin and only assembled here. The ECM manages the vehicle’s subsystems, such as the battery, motor, and charging system, to optimise performance and efficiency. It coordinates key functions like power delivery, regenerative braking, and battery management to ensure smooth operation.”
He added that manufacturers can remotely access and interact with the vehicle’s ECM through over-the-air (OTA) updates and telematics systems, further increasing the need for security oversight.
When contacted, senior transport department officials said EVs currently undergo the same inspection process as conventional vehicles, with no software or component-specific checks in place. “There are no separate mechanisms to evaluate ECMs or software used in these vehicles,” an official admitted.
