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Cybersecurity Risks in Electric Vehicles: A Boardroom and Government Perspective

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Electric vehicles (EVs) are a cornerstone of the global push toward sustainability. Governments are promoting EV adoption through policy incentives, and many government fleets are transitioning to electric to reduce emissions. For business leaders, EVs represent opportunities for innovation, green credentials, and cost efficiencies. Protecting these systems requires proactive measures such as vulnerability assessment and cyber security audit to manage emerging threats.

However, EVs are not just vehicles. They are highly connected digital assets that carry unique cybersecurity risks. For directors and policymakers, these risks pose not only technical challenges but also issues of liability, public trust, and national security.

Why EV Cybersecurity Belongs on the Board and Government Agenda

EVs combine software, Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, and critical infrastructure dependencies. This makes them targets for:

  • Criminal enterprises seeking financial gain

  • Hacktivists pursuing disruption

  • Nation-state actors aiming at espionage or infrastructure destabilisation

An attack on EV systems has broader implications than a compromised personal car. It can affect public safety, critical infrastructure, supply chains, and national resilience.

Key Cyber Risks in Electric Vehicles

  1. Data Governance and Privacy Liabilities

EVs collect extensive personal and operational data, including:

  • Real-time location tracking

  • Vehicle usage and fleet patterns

  • Payment data from charging stations

For governments and boards, exposure of this data could lead to:

  • Breaches of privacy legislation (e.g., GDPR, Australian Privacy Act)

  • Litigation from affected customers or employees

  • National security risks if fleet movements are monitored by adversaries

  1. Fleet and Public Safety Risks

Corporate and government fleets are particularly vulnerable. A coordinated cyberattack could:

  • Disable or immobilise entire fleets

  • Cause accidents by manipulating safety-critical systems

  • Undermine public confidence in EV adoption

  1. Charging Infrastructure as Critical Infrastructure

Public charging stations are growing rapidly, often interconnected with payment systems and national power grids. Risks include:

  • Malware spread into vehicles through compromised chargers

  • Denial-of-service attacks that paralyse charging networks

  • Potential impacts on the power grid, making EV cybersecurity an energy security issue

  1. Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

Most EVs rely on complex global supply chains for software, chips, and hardware. Without stringent oversight:

  • Malicious code or backdoors could be inserted during manufacturing

  • Over-the-air (OTA) update mechanisms could be exploited to deploy malware at scale

  • Dependencies on foreign technology providers could introduce geopolitical risk

  1. Public Confidence and Policy Risk

For governments and boards, perception is as critical as reality. A high-profile EV cyber incident could:

  • Stall EV adoption targets

  • Trigger political and regulatory backlash

  • Damage trust in government-led green initiatives

Governance and Policy Imperatives

To address these risks, boards and governments should:

  • Embed cybersecurity into procurement and fleet management – mandate supplier security certifications and ongoing risk assessments.

  • Treat EV infrastructure as critical infrastructure – regulate security standards for charging networks and software update mechanisms.

  • Adopt a whole-of-ecosystem approach – coordinate between transport, energy, and cybersecurity agencies.

  • Establish incident response frameworks – ensure rapid containment and recovery protocols for compromised fleets or infrastructure.

  • Promote standards and compliance – encourage alignment with international standards (e.g., ISO/SAE 21434 for vehicle cybersecurity).

Final Word

The transition to electric mobility is essential for sustainability, but digital trust must underpin this transformation. For boards and governments, EV cybersecurity is not just a technical concern; it is a matter of governance, public safety, and national resilience. Implementing robust vulnerability assessment and undergoing a regular cyber security audit can safeguard infrastructure and maintain public trust.

As EV adoption accelerates, the organisations that act early to secure their fleets, infrastructure, and supply chains will not only mitigate risks but also strengthen public trust in the future of clean, safe, and secure mobility.

Cybernetic GI can audit EVs, charging stations, and conduct cyber security assessments for your fleet. Our expert team provides comprehensive evaluations tailored to the unique risks of electric vehicle ecosystems, helping both government and corporate entities protect critical assets, ensure compliance, and build cyber-resilient transport infrastructure. Contact Cybernetic GI today.

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