The country says it fears espionage.
The US wants to ban networked cars and car software of Russian and Chinese origin in the coming years, the Commerce Department, the US economic agency, has announced. Concerns about security and espionage are said to be at the origin of the ban. ‘In extreme situations, a foreign state could immobilize or take over all their cars, perhaps all at once, which could lead to accidents and disruption,’ said Gina Raimondo, the responsible minister.
If the proposal is accepted, Chinese car software would no longer be allowed on American roads, not even for testing. The ban would apply to vehicles that are connected to a wider network, for example via Bluetooth or satellite. The share of Chinese cars in the United States is very small, that of Russian cars even (much) smaller. The rule therefore seems to be made primarily to block an influx of new Chinese electric cars.
Networked car software is to be banned by 2027, while hardware will be banned from 2029. The ministry will first hold a consultation round before actual rules come into effect.