The Biden administration is rolling out measures to protect the US from “emerging threats” to national security, starting with the automotive supply chain.
The administration announced a proposal from the Commerce Department to “ban the sale or import of connected vehicles incorporating certain technology and the import of certain components themselves from countries of concern,” specifically targeting software and hardware from Russia and the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
The Ministry of Transport defines technologies for connected vehicles as “equipment, applications or systems that use vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications to address safety, system efficiency or mobility on our roads.” In principle, any car with an internet connection via Bluetooth, cellular, satellite and Wi-Fi modules is a connected vehicle.
The proposed software ban would prohibit the import or sale of connected vehicle systems “designed, developed, manufactured or supplied” by a company with ties to the PRC or Russia. It would also restrict the import of hardware equipment for vehicle connectivity systems.
The software ban would go into effect for the 2027 model year, while hardware would begin with the 2030 model year, or Jan. 1, 2029, for units without a model year. There would be exceptions, however, for parties such as smaller vehicle manufacturers to avoid disruptions to the industry.
The administration claims the proposed ban comes as Chinese automakers seek to “dominate connected vehicle technology in the United States and globally, posing new threats to our national security.” Some of the threats cited include the collection and exploitation of sensitive information and the disruption of infrastructure and vehicle operations.
The Commerce Department said China and Russia pose “particularly acute threats” because they “can use critical technologies within our supply chains for surveillance and sabotage to undermine national security.”