Starting as a mechanical-based industry, the automobile market has undergone one of the fastest restructurings since the advent of software-defined vehicles.
Entry of the Internet of Things (IoT) and software-based automotive systems in the vehicle segment has digitally transformed the foundation of the automotive market in innumerable ways.
With the surge of connected vehicles, unique ADAS and safety features, and the emergence of autonomous and electric vehicles (EVs), automotive that once were strictly mechanical are now operating on a large string of code, essentially making them a smartphone on wheels.
Driven by the ecological concerns of world leaders on increasing cases of carbon emissions and clean energy, the majority of countries are focusing on developing an Electric based fleet system in their countries that are majorly governed under smart mobility solutions.
Industry experts have predicted the flow of 125 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030.
Cyber Threats on Electric Vehicles pose a major concern for these vehicles if this prediction comes out to be true.
This issue will magnify under the surge of connected vehicles and EVs, which are relatively more vulnerable to threats due to lack of Cybersecurity for Electric Vehicles than fuel-based vehicles as they have a wider attack surface.
Is There a Need for Cybersecurity for Electric Vehicles?
Before getting a clear view of Why there is a Need for Cybersecurity for Electric Vehicles, let’s take a look at the general architecture of electric-based vehicles.
Due to their architectural nature, EVs are comparatively more vulnerable to cyberattacks than ICE ones as they rely heavily on wireless technologies instead of standard physical connections like oil or gas pumps.
Another major reason is that EVs are connected to the charging grid as they form a connected network that is more vulnerable to cyberattacks and can compromise critical functions such as braking or steering control.
Cybersecurity for Electric Vehicles is a necessity as unlike conventional vehicles, EVs rely on software systems and network connectivity, thus making them more likely to be hacked.
Need for Cybersecurity for Electric Vehicles has become a growing concern as it’s not just about the electric car but also about securing the entire ecosystem that includes the vehicle, the charging station and the EV charging grid, all of which are highly vulnerable to malicious cyber-attacks.
Impact of Cyberattacks Due to Lack of Cybersecurity for Electric Vehicles
As mentioned above, one of the biggest threats to Cybersecurity for Electric Vehicles is on connected gird that is quite vulnerable to these attacks.
Generally, when users charge their vehicles, a data connection is formed between the vehicle and the EV hub and since these charging stations are connected to the internet, like any other IoT device, they are vulnerable to the actions of cybercriminals.
In case a cybercriminal gain access to a charging hub, the following consequences can be witnessed that includes:
Compromise EV Charging Network:
Due to the lack of Cybersecurity for Electric Vehicles, hackers can gain access to an entire network of charging hubs by taking advantage of just one vulnerability in one device. This can result in a loss of revenue for the operator as well as untold disruption to the road network.
Risk to User Safety:
Speaking hypothetically once a hacker enters an EV charging point system, they can easily access a vehicle’s engine management system and can compromise the safety, and performance of a vehicle or can also disable the vehicle altogether.
Commercial Loss:
Apart from having the power to shut down an entire network of EV hubs, hackers can access the operator’s management software and drop ransomware with consequent financial and reputational damage. Due to the lack of Cybersecurity for Electric Vehicles, commercial fleets that are planning to convert their fleet to electric power and a hacker could disable an entire delivery operation just from their laptop.
Payment Systems:
Since the threat factors can potentially compromise the payment system at an EV hub, a lack of Cybersecurity for Electric Vehicles can also lead to financial loss for the driver or the network operator.
Indian Market Outlook on Cybersecurity for Electric Vehicles
For a developing country like India where the government has pledged to attain the goal of having the majority of electric vehicles on the roads by 2030, the lack of Cybersecurity for Electric Vehicles leads to major drawbacks.
Since India will need to rely heavily on foreign exports such as Chinese manufacturers for raw materials for electric vehicles, EV makers are forced to import as much as 80% of an EV, including battery and battery management systems.
Faced with this reality, international hackers have ample opportunities to leave backdoor entry points for malicious intents and can collect sensitive data.
This is one of the main reasons why key industry experts in India have asked for legislation to ensure that EVs and charging points have network segmentation technology that can reduce the associated risk.