Archive · 21 Jul 2026
Indian Electric Buses Face Remote Shutdown Risks from Chinese Control Units
Sudhir Mehta, the head of an Indian electric bus company, has warned that electric buses in India that rely on Chinese technology for their control systems could be at risk of being shut down remotely.
He believes that the software controlling these vehicles should be developed and controlled within India to ensure security.
The government has also issued an advisory about the risks of using Chinese apps that can control electric vehicles.
Some Indian companies have partnerships with Chinese firms for critical technologies, while others are investing in developing their own software.
Mehta emphasizes the importance of securing the digital systems of electric vehicles to protect against cyber threats and ensure national security.
Sudhir Mehta warns that electric buses relying on Chinese vehicle control units face remote shutdown risks.
Vehicle control software should be sovereign and controlled within India for security reasons.
The government has issued an advisory on critical vulnerabilities in electric vehicles due to the misuse of Chinese apps.
Several Indian electric bus makers have partnerships with Chinese companies for critical technologies.
Eka Mobility has invested in owning and controlling its vehicle control software to ensure security.
- Who
- Sudhir Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director of Pune-based e-bus maker Eka Mobility
- What
- Warning about the risks of relying on Chinese-controlled vehicle control units for electric buses in India
- When
- Days after the government issued an urgent advisory on critical vulnerabilities in electric vehicles
- Where
- India
- Why
- To highlight the cybersecurity and national security risks associated with foreign-controlled vehicle control software
Pro-Indigenous Software
Pro-Chinese Technology Partnerships
Software Control
Pro-Indigenous Software
Vehicle control software should be sovereign and controlled within India to ensure security and operational control.
Pro-Chinese Technology Partnerships
Partnerships with Chinese companies for critical technologies can accelerate development and reduce costs.
Cybersecurity Risks
Pro-Indigenous Software
Relying on foreign-controlled software poses significant cybersecurity and national security risks.
Pro-Chinese Technology Partnerships
Chinese technology partnerships can provide advanced features and faster deployment of electric vehicles.
- Vehicle Control Unit (VCU)
- A system that governs critical functions such as battery management, motor control, and over-the-air software updates.
- BAT-BMS App
- An app developed by China’s Shenzhen Grenergy Technology used to shut down moving e-rickshaws in India.
- Olectra Greentech
- Hyderabad-based electric bus maker with a technology tie-up with China’s BYD.
- PMI Electro
- Gurugram-based electric bus maker with a technical collaboration with China’s Beiqi Foton Motor Co.
- Eka Mobility
- Indian electric bus maker that has invested significantly in owning and controlling its vehicle control software.