Electric cars with Chinese parts banned from UK military sites over spying fears
Staff working at Britain’s premier intelligence hub have been told to park their EVs at least two miles away over fears their cars could be spying on them
The Ministry of Defence has banned electric vehicles (EVs) with Chinese components from sensitive sites and military training bases.
Staff working at the secretive military site at RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire have been told they must park EVs made using Chinese technology at least two miles away from key buildings, sources have told The i Paper.
It is understood that senior officials recently became alarmed when they realised EVs driven by personnel might be being tracked, and sensors in the cars could be used to collect intelligence and send it back to Beijing.
The disclosure of security worries among defence staff could also raise concern among some EV buyers, who are increasingly turning to Chinese brands like BYD because of their affordability and longer range.
RAF Wyton is particularly important to national security as it is home to the UK’s premier military intelligence hub, hosting officials from all members of Five Eyes – the critical intelligence-sharing alliance formed by the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The site, which has been the centre of media attention, is home to the Pathfinder Building, one of the world’s largest spy facilities, where thousands of analysts and officials monitor intelligence around the clock.
