The Commerce Department announced on Monday its intention to ban the sale of connected and autonomous vehicles in the U.S. that are equipped with Chinese and Russian software and hardware. The goal is to safeguard national security and protect American drivers.
While Chinese and Russian software presence in the U.S. is minimal, the issue is more complex for hardware components. The proposed ban on software is set to take effect for the 2027 model year, while the ban on hardware is scheduled for the 2030 model year or January 1, 2029, for units without a designated model year.
The Commerce Department emphasized that the extensive features in modern vehicles, such as microphones, cameras, GPS tracking, and Bluetooth technology, could potentially expose personal information and make Americans vulnerable to malicious actors. In extreme scenarios, foreign adversaries could exploit these technologies to disrupt or take control of multiple vehicles simultaneously, leading to accidents and road blockages.
The agency stressed that the initiative is driven solely by national security concerns and not by trade or economic motives. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo highlighted the importance of addressing these threats preemptively, given the limited presence of Chinese and Russian vehicles on American roads currently.
Concerns over data security and privacy have been raised in Europe, where Chinese electric cars have gained significant market share. The control of data flows and software updates in vehicles has become a critical issue with implications for national security and individual privacy.
The proposed rule aims to prohibit the import and sale of vehicles equipped with Chinese and Russian software and hardware that enable external communication through various modules. It would also restrict the sale of software components that allow highly autonomous vehicles to operate without a driver present. The ban would extend to vehicles manufactured in the U.S. using Chinese and Russian technology.
The Commerce Department is soliciting public comments on the proposed rule, with a deadline set for 30 days after its publication. The rule is expected to be finalized by the end of the Biden Administration.
This move aligns with previous efforts by the Biden administration to address concerns related to products from China, including electric vehicles, as part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on Chinese imports and bolster domestic industries.
