A quiet security check in Norway has suddenly sparked concern across Europe. Dozens of Chinese-made electric buses were meant to push cities toward cleaner transport, until a troubling tech discovery changed everything.
Now Denmark is rushing to act, worried it may be facing the same hidden threat.
Norway’s capital, Oslo, had rolled out hundreds of Chinese Yutong electric buses as part of its clean-energy transition. But routine security testing uncovered something no one expected: the buses could reportedly be accessed remotely from China, raising fears that the manufacturer could disable them in seconds, as per a report by Supercar Blondie.
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The finding forced Norway’s public transport authority, Ruter, to make a drastic move. Officials removed the SIM cards from the buses, a fix that blocks any potential interference but also prevents software updates that keep the vehicles running smoothly. The sudden discovery left authorities stunned, and other nations quickly took notice, as per a report by Supercar Blondie.
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With Norway acting fast, Denmark has now been pushed into a similar scramble. Movia, Denmark’s biggest public transport provider, has 262 Yutong electric buses on its roads. Officials are now trying to determine whether those vehicles pose the same threat, as per a report by Supercar Blondie.
Movia Chief Operating Officer Jeppe Gaard stressed that the issue is not exclusive to one country’s vehicles. “This is not a Chinese bus problem. It is a problem for all types of vehicles and devices with Chinese electronics built in,” he told The Guardian.
Yutong defended its practices, saying it “strictly complies with the applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards,” adding that data is encrypted and “used solely for vehicle-related maintenance, optimisation, and improvement to meet customers’ after-sales service needs. No one is allowed to access or view this data without customer authorization.”
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Danish civil protection agency Samsik echoed that there have been no known cases of remote access, but admitted that sensors, cameras, and microphones in such vehicles create potential risks. “The authorities have previously advised the transport sector in relation to the purchase of Chinese electric buses and are ready to advise and guide companies and authorities on the prevention and handling of threats,” a spokesperson said.
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As Europe accelerates toward electrified transport, this incident serves as a reminder: clean energy may be the future, but cybersecurity is becoming just as crucial as battery power.
Why is Denmark concerned about its Chinese buses?
Security testing in Norway showed Yutong buses could be remotely accessed, prompting Denmark to check its own fleet.
What action has Norway taken?
Authorities removed SIM cards from the buses to stop remote access, though it prevents updates.
Now Denmark is rushing to act, worried it may be facing the same hidden threat.
Norway’s capital, Oslo, had rolled out hundreds of Chinese Yutong electric buses as part of its clean-energy transition. But routine security testing uncovered something no one expected: the buses could reportedly be accessed remotely from China, raising fears that the manufacturer could disable them in seconds, as per a report by Supercar Blondie.
ALSO READ: What does 67 mean, who made the 67 meme and why is it so popular?
The finding forced Norway’s public transport authority, Ruter, to make a drastic move. Officials removed the SIM cards from the buses, a fix that blocks any potential interference but also prevents software updates that keep the vehicles running smoothly. The sudden discovery left authorities stunned, and other nations quickly took notice, as per a report by Supercar Blondie.
What did Norway discover in its Chinese bus fleet?
The issue surfaced after authorities realized the same technology used for over-the-air updates could allow remote shutdowns. That meant the manufacturer had theoretical access to the entire fleet. In a worst-case scenario, the buses could be switched off instantly.ALSO READ: China beats the US: First to capture images of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS - here are the details
With Norway acting fast, Denmark has now been pushed into a similar scramble. Movia, Denmark’s biggest public transport provider, has 262 Yutong electric buses on its roads. Officials are now trying to determine whether those vehicles pose the same threat, as per a report by Supercar Blondie.
How is Denmark responding to the security threat?
Movia Chief Operating Officer Jeppe Gaard stressed that the issue is not exclusive to one country’s vehicles. “This is not a Chinese bus problem. It is a problem for all types of vehicles and devices with Chinese electronics built in,” he told The Guardian.Yutong defended its practices, saying it “strictly complies with the applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards,” adding that data is encrypted and “used solely for vehicle-related maintenance, optimisation, and improvement to meet customers’ after-sales service needs. No one is allowed to access or view this data without customer authorization.”
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Danish civil protection agency Samsik echoed that there have been no known cases of remote access, but admitted that sensors, cameras, and microphones in such vehicles create potential risks. “The authorities have previously advised the transport sector in relation to the purchase of Chinese electric buses and are ready to advise and guide companies and authorities on the prevention and handling of threats,” a spokesperson said.
Are Chinese EVs raising wider global fears?
While Chinese electric brands like BYD and XPeng continue expanding across Europe, with BYD recently becoming the continent’s top-selling brand, the situation has shaken confidence. Norway remains a world leader in EV adoption, with over 97 percent of cars sold in 2025 being electric. But the discovery shows that even in the most advanced markets, cybersecurity concerns are becoming impossible to overlook, as per a report by Supercar Blondie.ALSO READ: Will Elon Musk rescue the 3 Chinese astronauts stuck in space? Worldwide outcry mounts
As Europe accelerates toward electrified transport, this incident serves as a reminder: clean energy may be the future, but cybersecurity is becoming just as crucial as battery power.
FAQs
Why is Denmark concerned about its Chinese buses?
Security testing in Norway showed Yutong buses could be remotely accessed, prompting Denmark to check its own fleet.
What action has Norway taken?
Authorities removed SIM cards from the buses to stop remote access, though it prevents updates.
