Biden proposes to ban vehicles made with technology linked to China and Russia for national security reasons. The new regulation targets connected vehicles that communicate with manufacturer platforms and autonomous vehicles that operate without a driver, effectively closing the market to all new Chinese cars.
Following the proposal's release, a 30-day period will open for public comments from stakeholders, including the automotive industry. The goal is for the regulation to take effect before January 20, 2025, when Biden leaves office, according to a high-ranking official who spoke anonymously.
The measure addresses national security concerns, fearing that Chinese and Russian companies could access driver and infrastructure data in the U.S. and potentially control these vehicles remotely, leading to accidents or road blockages, as explained by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
Following the proposal's release, a 30-day period will open for public comments from stakeholders, including the automotive industry. The goal is for the regulation to take effect before January 20, 2025, when Biden leaves office, according to a high-ranking official who spoke anonymously.
The measure addresses national security concerns, fearing that Chinese and Russian companies could access driver and infrastructure data in the U.S. and potentially control these vehicles remotely, leading to accidents or road blockages, as explained by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
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"Cars are no longer just steel and metal on wheels," she noted, highlighting that modern vehicles' Bluetooth, cellular, satellite, and Wi-Fi modules could be vulnerable to cyberattacks or third-party manipulation.
Currently, nearly all new vehicles on U.S. roads, both gasoline and electric, are considered "connected," equipped with hardware allowing internet connectivity and data sharing with internal and external devices.
The proposed regulation stems from an investigation Biden ordered in February to determine if imports of Chinese vehicles posed national security risks and whether the use of that software and hardware should be banned. Initially focused on China, the inquiry was later expanded to include Russia due to concerns that the Kremlin could access U.S. data through Russian tech firms.
The investigation concluded that certain technologies from China and Russia pose risks to critical U.S. infrastructures, including the power grid, and could compromise users' personal data, from their residences to their destinations, like hospitals or clinics.
Raimondo stated these are proactive measures, as there are currently few Chinese or Russian vehicles on U.S. roads. "What we've seen in Europe is an example of what not to do," she remarked, noting the increase in Chinese vehicles there.
The proposed regulation specifically aims to prohibit the import and sale of vehicles from China and Russia that include communication software or hardware, such as Bluetooth, cellular, satellite, and Wi-Fi modules. Highly autonomous vehicles, those that operate without a driver, will also be banned.
While the regulation will take effect in 2025, automakers will have time to adapt. Software restrictions will apply to 2027 models, while hardware bans will begin in January 2029. The proposal will cover all road vehicles, including cars, trucks, and buses, but will exclude non-road vehicles, such as agricultural or mining equipment.
"Cars are no longer just steel and metal on wheels," she noted, highlighting that modern vehicles' Bluetooth, cellular, satellite, and Wi-Fi modules could be vulnerable to cyberattacks or third-party manipulation.
Currently, nearly all new vehicles on U.S. roads, both gasoline and electric, are considered "connected," equipped with hardware allowing internet connectivity and data sharing with internal and external devices.
The proposed regulation stems from an investigation Biden ordered in February to determine if imports of Chinese vehicles posed national security risks and whether the use of that software and hardware should be banned. Initially focused on China, the inquiry was later expanded to include Russia due to concerns that the Kremlin could access U.S. data through Russian tech firms.
The investigation concluded that certain technologies from China and Russia pose risks to critical U.S. infrastructures, including the power grid, and could compromise users' personal data, from their residences to their destinations, like hospitals or clinics.
Raimondo stated these are proactive measures, as there are currently few Chinese or Russian vehicles on U.S. roads. "What we've seen in Europe is an example of what not to do," she remarked, noting the increase in Chinese vehicles there.
The proposed regulation specifically aims to prohibit the import and sale of vehicles from China and Russia that include communication software or hardware, such as Bluetooth, cellular, satellite, and Wi-Fi modules. Highly autonomous vehicles, those that operate without a driver, will also be banned.
While the regulation will take effect in 2025, automakers will have time to adapt. Software restrictions will apply to 2027 models, while hardware bans will begin in January 2029. The proposal will cover all road vehicles, including cars, trucks, and buses, but will exclude non-road vehicles, such as agricultural or mining equipment.