Biden Administration Seeks Ban on Chinese Vehicle Technology

The US Commerce Department has proposed regulations to ban key Chinese software and hardware in connected vehicles, citing national security concerns. The initiative aims to prevent Chinese technology from infiltrating the automotive sector, which poses potential risks to U.S. infrastructure and driver privacy.

“When foreign adversaries build software to make a vehicle, it means it can be used for surveillance and can be remotely controlled, which threatens the privacy and safety of Americans on the road,” said Gina Raimondo, US Secretary, Commerce Department.  

The proposed rules would affect all on-road vehicles, but exclude agricultural and mining vehicles, as well as drones and trains. Public comments on the proposal will be accepted for 30 days.

The software ban is set to take effect with the 2027 model year, while hardware prohibitions are scheduled for the 2030 model year, or January 2029. The Commerce Department also indicated that the ban would extend to similar technologies produced in Russia, reflecting a broader strategy to mitigate risks from US adversaries.

“With potentially millions of vehicles on the road, each with 10- to 15-year lifespans, the risk of disruption and sabotage increases dramatically,” said Jake Sullivan, Adviser, National Security Agency.

The Biden administration’s decision follows increased scrutiny of data collection practices by foreign automakers. The Commerce Department emphasized the need for proactive measures before Chinese suppliers and technologies become widespread in the market. “We anticipate at this point that any vehicle manufactured in China and sold in the U.S. would fall under these prohibitions,” said Liz Cannon, Director of the Office of Information and Communications Technology, Commerce Department.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing major automakers like General Motors and Ford, acknowledged that some manufacturers may require additional time to comply with the new rules. “There is very little connected vehicle hardware or software that currently enters the United States from China, but this rule will require auto manufacturers, in some cases, to find alternative suppliers,” the group stated.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian urged the United States to provide a fair and transparent business environment for Chinese companies.