Cyber security concerns raised following Canada’s electric vehicle deal with China

An electric vehicle charges in Ottawa. Jan. 18, 2025. (Natalie van Rooy/CTV News Ottawa)

While many Canadians may be wondering when they can get behind the wheel of a new electric vehicle from China, some experts fear the technology could carry risks.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping recently signed an agreement that will see Canada allow Chinese electric vehicles into the country with a 6.1 per cent tariff. A senior government source told CTV News that 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles will be allowed to enter Canada at the reduced tariff rate starting March 1.

Canada’s Prime Minister is calling the deal an opportunity for Ontario and autoworkers but some say it is not without risk.

Carmi Levy, technology analyst, says modern vehicles collect large amounts of data, which could be a cybersecurity risk.

“We know that modern vehicles, especially electric vehicles, are essentially rolling computers,” Levy said. “So, they are collecting massive amounts of data as we drive them and even as they sit in our driveway and charge up and that information has to go somewhere.”

Levy says there are questions around where the data goes and who will have access to it.

“China is a country that doesn’t subscribe to the same rules of cybersecurity, intellectual property, or copyright, and it is often the case that they will install backdoors in systems that allow them to siphon off information,” Levy said.

Another element of this deal that remains unclear is which specific companies Canadian officials have had contact with.

Jeff Brown, an Ottawa resident, drives a Hyundai electric vehicle, but says he wouldn’t trade it in even if there were cheaper options from China.

“I’d rather not,” said Brown, who was charging his vehicle on Sunday.

“But, given what’s happening in the United States, it seems to me that Trump is trying to kill our industry one way or the other so we have to look at options and they’re a good option. I’ve been in other countries and they have Chinese EVs and they seem to be functioning well there.”

Meanwhile Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in a social media statement on Friday that the deal runs the risk of flooding the market with cheap Chinese EVs without guaranteed Canadian investment.

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