Security concerns are growing in Britain over the extent of Chinese manufactured technology embedded in public infrastructure, following warnings that electric buses and renewable energy systems could be disabled remotely during a future geopolitical crisis.
The Telegraph reported that Britain’s security services have examined whether hundreds of Chinese built electric buses operating on UK roads could be vulnerable to a remote shut down.
Officials at the Department for Transport and the National Cyber Security Centre assessed buses made by Yutong, a Chinese manufacturer, after similar concerns were raised in Norway.
According to the investigation, the buses use onboard SIM cards to connect to the internet for software updates. Security officials concluded it is possible for the vehicles to be rendered inoperable remotely, although no evidence has been found that such a function has so far been activated or misused.
A source familiar with the inquiry told The Telegraph, “They haven’t found any evidence that it has actually happened. And there are wider considerations at play about how we deal with China.”
Whitehall sources said ministers are unable to block the sale of the buses because there is no proof of hostile activity and because of the potential diplomatic consequences of banning Chinese suppliers.
Around 700 Yutong electric buses are currently in use across Britain, including fleets operated by Stagecoach and First Bus. Nottingham City Council recently replaced its entire single decker fleet with Yutong models, with plans to convert its double deckers by the end of the year. The UK distributor for Yutong is also listed as an approved supplier in several local authority procurement frameworks.
The National Cyber Security Centre said it will continue to monitor the issue, while noting that most UK buses receive software updates manually via physical connections rather than wireless over the air systems.
Yutong has stated that its vehicles cannot be remotely controlled, arguing that internet enabled software units are not connected to critical driving systems such as braking or steering.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said, “We take security extremely seriously and are working closely across government and with the transport sector to understand this issue and mitigate potential risks.”
The bus investigation follows earlier reporting on concerns surrounding Chinese made components in renewable energy systems. A Reuters investigation published last summer found that undisclosed communication devices had been discovered inside Chinese manufactured power inverters used in solar installations across the US and Europe.
Engineers involved in inspections told Reuters that the devices could bypass firewalls and potentially allow remote access to electricity grids. One expert said such capabilities could, in theory, be used to disable or damage grid infrastructure during a future conflict.
The US Department of Energy acknowledged the risks, stating that it was assessing the implications of hidden functionalities in imported equipment. China’s embassy in Washington rejected the allegations, saying Beijing opposed what it described as the politicisation of national security concerns.
In the UK, the findings prompted calls from Conservative MPs for a pause and review of the green energy transition. The Shadow energy minister told The Telegraph that Chinese involvement in renewable infrastructure posed a potential national security risk, citing similar concerns previously raised by defence and intelligence officials.
China currently dominates global supply chains for renewable energy technology. Chinese firms, including Huawei, Sungrow and Ginlong Solis, account for a significant share of the world’s power inverter market. Huawei has been barred from the US inverter market since 2019 but remains a major supplier elsewhere.
Security experts stress that no confirmed cases exist of China deliberately disabling foreign infrastructure through hidden control systems. UK officials say the risk of deliberate interference remains low, but the concentration of foreign manufactured technology in critical systems is increasingly being viewed as a strategic vulnerability.
As reported by The Telegraph, the issue comes amid efforts by the British Labour government to encourage greater Chinese investment, including approval for a new Chinese embassy in London.
Officials stress that there is no evidence of any active or malicious interference as of yet. However, security experts note that the increasing dependence on internet connected technology supplied by overseas manufacturers creates a theoretical vulnerability. In the event of a major international conflict, including a third world war, such access could, in principle, be exploited to disrupt transport networks or power systems, raising wider questions about national resilience and the protection of critical infrastructure.
