British security officials have raised the alarm over a potential vulnerability in hundreds of electric buses operating across the UK, warning they could be remotely disabled by a so-called 'kill switch' originating from China.
The Core Security Concern
The warning, issued by the Department for Transport (DfT) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), centres on around 700 Yutong electric buses manufactured in China. Officials believe these vehicles, which are connected to the internet via onboard SIM cards, could theoretically be stopped or switched off completely through a remote connection.
This concern was amplified following a November inquiry into Yutong buses in Norway, which suggested the manufacturer could potentially render the vehicles inoperable from afar. The NCSC has assessed that such remote intervention is 'technically possible'.
Fleet Operators and Government Stance
Major transport operators including Stagecoach and First Bus are known to use these buses, with each thought to own more than 200 of them. Notably, Nottingham City Council has recently replaced its entire single-decker fleet with Yutong models and plans to do the same with its double-deckers by the end of 2026.
Despite the security fears, Whitehall sources indicate the government is unlikely to halt sales. Insufficient evidence of actual Chinese subterfuge and a desire to avoid diplomatic tension ahead of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's state visit to Beijing later this month are key factors. 'They haven’t found any evidence that it has actually happened', sources stated.
Responses and Reassurances
While Norway implemented firewalls and other security measures on its buses, there are currently no plans for similar action in Britain. A DfT spokesman emphasised: 'We take security extremely seriously and are working closely across Government and with the transport sector to understand this issue and mitigate potential risks.'
For its part, Yutong Bus, a leading global exporter of electric buses, has denied the capability for remote control, reassuring that its software is not connected to critical driving controls like braking and steering. Furthermore, most Yutong buses in the UK are updated manually via a physical cable, not wirelessly, reducing one potential attack vector.
The issue feeds into broader anxieties about Chinese involvement in UK infrastructure, coinciding with controversial plans for a new large Chinese embassy near the Tower of London. The government must now balance pressing security concerns against environmental goals and international diplomacy.
