The US plans to implement a ban in January 2025 on certain software and hardware used by connected cars from China and Russia for security. This initiative has drawn considerable criticism, with some arguing that mobile phones and smart consumer electronics have long been connected, labeling it as paranoid and overt protectionism.
However, the remotely orchestrated pager and walkie-talkie explosions in Lebanon that occurred in late September have heightened sensitivities regarding vehicle-to-everything (V2X) security in the United States and Europe.
According to Automotive News, this attack highlights the challenges of monitoring supply chains. The exploded pager was manufactured and distributed through an opaque supply chain involving a Taiwanese company licensing its brand to a Hungarian firm for production and distribution. The walkie-talkies were believed to be replicas of a Japanese model. This underscores the necessity of considering "security interests" in trade.
Suppliers point out that AI-driven advancements are accelerating the Internet of Things (IoT). In fact, cybersecurity will increasingly be considered across various application layers. Especially with rapidly evolving hacking techniques, even if products pose no current cybersecurity concerns, there is no guarantee for future concerns.
The recent incident has intensified public awareness of cybersecurity. Governments and supply chains will likely adopt more stringent measures concerning emerging V2X technologies. After all, these vehicles are mobile, traversing roads across regions, posing significant threats from cars and roadways to buildings within smart city scenarios.
Governments worldwide have already been closely monitoring these issues due to their implications for national security. This topic began gaining traction years ago in China, with Tesla also being a subject of suspicion. Consequently, China has implemented restrictions on the export of digital data, extending from foreign smartphone brands like Apple to automotive manufacturers in Europe and the United States.
Israeli PV inverter manufacturer SolarEdge's senior technical marketing manager, Easy Su, recently stated at Energy Taiwan that cybersecurity threats will extend from semiconductor chips and system controls to software attacks.
Security must be comprehensive from energy storage to charging stations. An industry expert added that charging stations are viewed as prime targets for hackers seeking to breach electric vehicle (EV) network security.
Su mentioned that Wallbox, a manufacturer of EV chargers, faced a sales ban in the UK in 2024 due to non-compliance with cybersecurity laws. Stellantis has also recalled vehicles due to hacking issues. In fact, the Five Eyes (FVEY) alliance has relatively strict requirements in this field.
A solar power industry insider noted that Huawei's solar inverters were banned from the US market in mid-2019 primarily due to concerns regarding the possibility that manufacturers could remotely shut down power in specific areas.
Understandably, this concern stems from extreme national security considerations, especially during emergencies where sudden power outages can pose significant threats. Otherwise, most solar inverter manufacturers lack any motivation to engage in such shutdowns.
