The $20K Electric Vehicle Deal That Could Be Monitoring Your Every Action | Carscoops

      Concerns regarding the potential for smart electric vehicles (EVs) to monitor drivers or even be controlled remotely have raised alarms among security experts.

      China's EV price competition has resulted in domestic deals that are unattainable for Western consumers. For instance, models such as the Mazda EZ-6 sedan and the Toyota bZ5 SUV are priced at under $25,000 in China, which has led security professionals to worry about potential spying by the Chinese government.

      While searching for insurance quotes for my 17-year-old learner driver son in the UK, I discovered several companies offering coverage at half the cost of major brands. However, when I checked the quotes again to see the price changes after he passed his test, the initially cheap policies had surged to ten times the price of their more expensive competitors.

      Some experts suggest that China's affordable EVs may come with concealed costs that buyers may not realize until they are well into ownership. These costs might not be financial, but rather tied to data and control. Certain security professionals have expressed concerns that the latest generation of 'smart' Chinese EVs could enable manufacturers, hackers, and especially China's authorities, to keep tabs on drivers, including their movements, activities, and communications.

      Some experts have gone as far as to warn that smart EVs could be remotely controlled, potentially leading to chaos in crowded urban areas if vehicles were purposely incapacitated, or could allow malicious entities to turn cars into remotely operated weapons. Such concerns, alongside worries about the future of the American auto industry, have led the Biden Administration to impose higher tariffs on Chinese EVs.

      In the UK, military and intelligence leaders were instructed this year not to address any sensitive matters while traveling in EVs, and vehicles with Chinese components are now prohibited from certain military installations, according to reports from BBC News.

      It's understandable that consumers, particularly in China, might be tempted by the attractive prices of modern EVs. Although Chinese EVs may seem like a great deal in Europe, significant import duties have dampened their appeal. However, in their home market, which is currently experiencing a fierce price war, buyers may feel as though they are finding incredible bargains whenever they visit a local dealership.

      For example, Mazda's sleek new EZ-6, positioned as a competitor to the BMW 3-Series, starts at just ¥161,800 ($22,500), while Toyota's bZ5 SUV begins at only ¥129,800 ($18,100)—about half the price of the Tesla Model Y. Vehicles like these provide exceptional value if one is willing to take the risk regarding security.

      The Chinese government refutes the notion of risk, labeling espionage allegations as "absurd" and unsupported by evidence, asserting that businesses operating internationally must adhere to local regulations. Some independent security experts support this stance, suggesting that China and its automakers are focused on promoting economic growth rather than engaging in extensive surveillance like a fictional villain.

      Would concerns about security deter you from purchasing a Chinese EV, or would the appeal of a $20,000 price tag be too compelling to ignore?