Norway uncovers kill switch in Chinese buses: Norway uncovers kill switch in Chinese buses that can be shut down remotely – Denmark scrambling for solutions
Now Denmark is rushing to act amid concerns it may face the same hidden threat.
Norway’s capital Oslo has launched hundreds of Chinese Yutong electric buses as part of the transition to clean energy. But routine safety tests revealed something no one expected: The buses are reportedly remotely accessible from China, raising fears that the manufacturer could disable them in seconds, according to a report by Supercar Blondie.
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This finding forced Ruter, Norway’s public transport authority, to take drastic action. Authorities removed SIM cards from buses; This is a fix that prevents possible interference but also prevents software updates that keep the tools running smoothly. This sudden discovery stunned authorities and other countries quickly took notice, Supercar Blondie reports.
What did Norway discover in its Chinese bus fleet?
The problem arose after officials realized that the same technology used for over-the-air updates could allow remote shutdowns. This meant that the manufacturer had theoretical access to the entire fleet. In a worst-case scenario, buses could be shut down immediately.
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With Norway’s rapid action, Denmark was thrust into a similar struggle. Movia, Denmark’s largest public transport provider, has 262 Yutong electric buses on its roads. According to Supercar Blondie’s report, authorities are now trying to determine whether these vehicles pose the same threat.
How does Denmark respond to the security threat?
Movia Operations Director Jeppe Gaard emphasized that the problem is not specific to one country’s vehicles. “This is not a Chinese bus problem. This is a problem for all kinds of vehicles and devices that have Chinese electronics in them,” he told The Guardian.
Yutong defended its practices, saying it “strictly complies with applicable laws, regulations and industry standards,” adding that the data is encrypted and “used only for vehicle-related maintenance, optimization and improvement to meet customers’ after-sales service needs.” “No one is allowed to access or view this data without the customer’s permission.”
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Danish civil protection agency Samsik reiterated that there were no known cases of remote access, but acknowledged that the sensors, cameras and microphones in such vehicles pose potential risks. “Authorities have previously advised the transport sector on the purchase of Chinese electric buses and stand ready to advise and guide companies and authorities on preventing and addressing threats,” a spokesman said.
Are Chinese EVs fueling broader global fears?
While Chinese electrical brands such as BYD and XPeng continue to expand across Europe, this has shaken confidence, with BYD recently becoming the best-selling brand on the continent. Norway continues to lead the world in EV adoption, with more than 97 percent of cars sold in 2025 being electric. However, according to Supercar Blondie’s report, this discovery shows that cybersecurity concerns are becoming impossible to ignore even in the most developed markets.
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As Europe accelerates towards electric mobility, this incident serves as a reminder: The future may be clean energy, but cybersecurity is becoming as important as battery power.
FAQ
Why is Denmark worried about Chinese buses?
Safety tests in Norway showed that Yutong buses could be accessed remotely, prompting Denmark to check its own fleet.
What precautions did Norway take?
Authorities removed SIM cards from buses to stop remote access, but this blocked updates.
