Urgent electric car warning as ‘invasion’ from China could soon ‘paralyse’ Britain

BRITS have been issued an urgent electric car warning as an “invasion” from China could soon “paralyse” the UK.

Motorists have been advised by experts that the influx of cars could be remotely controlled.

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Professor Jim Saker, president of the Institute of the Motor Industry, said Britain faces “major security issues” from Chinese cars.

And he added that there is “no way” of stopping the electric vehicles coming under remote control. 

In a report set to be shared with car makers and regulators, Prof Saker said: “The car manufacturer may be in Shanghai and could stop 100,000 to 300,000 cars across Europe, thus paralysing a country.”

According to The Telegraph, while regulators are able to test samples of cars for spyware or other security issues, Prof Saker added that checking thousands of vehicles is not possible.

Up to 30 new electric vehicle brands are eyeing up the UK car market, most of them from China.

Last week the head of Vauxhall-owner Stellantis warned of an “invasion” of Chinese electric cars. 

Carlos Tavares claimed that Stellantis faces a difficult scenario in which it must compete with Chinese cars which are less expensive while having to invest billions of pounds into electrification.

Prof Saker highlighted a report published this July, in which MPs warned that China has successfully entered every sector of the economy in Britain. 

He warned the UK has not done enough about the threat of China using its dominance in the market for key minerals such as lithium.    

He said: “Virtually every country is trying to fight against an overreliance on China, except the UK.”

Chinese car makers have more access to the battery technology required for EVs, meaning they can bring vehicles to market quicker. 

Meanwhile, China is also more dominant in lithium production and refining – owning many of the mines that produce it. 

Earlier this month, a driver confessed they hated their £74,000 Tesla.

In January this year, the columnist and food critic Giles Coren said he had ditched his £65,000 all-electric Jaguar I-PACE after he faced a string of issues with it.

Elsewhere, a car expert has revealed the best electric cars you can buy for less than £20,000.

In the UK, more than 265,000 battery-electric cars were registered in 2022, a 40 per cent hike from 2021.