Cybersecurity Experts Warn of Potential EV Battery Risks
Cybersecurity Experts Warn of Potential EV Battery Risks
Publish Date: 2026-03-28 09:29:00
Source Domain: nationaltoday.com
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Cybersecurity and national security experts have explored how electric vehicle batteries and connected technology could be weaponized to cause disruption or mass casualties in a terrorist attack or by a disgruntled individual. The primary concern is the potential for EV batteries to be used as components in a novel, large-scale attack using existing technology. Vulnerabilities in battery management systems that control critical functions like thermal regulation and charge rates could be compromised to trigger events like thermal runaway or destabilize local power grids.
Why it matters
As electric vehicles become more widespread, the scale and concentration of these potential vulnerabilities grows. Policymakers pushing aggressive EV adoption mandates have not adequately addressed the cybersecurity infrastructure required to protect interconnected vehicle networks, leaving consumers exposed to risks they don’t fully understand.
The details
Cybersecurity and national security experts have explored how EV batteries and connected technology could be weaponized. EV batteries possess inherent hazards like flammable electrolytes and potential for explosions/fires under abuse that could be exploited. The massive lithium-ion battery fire at Moss Landing in 2025 exposed the unknown risks of battery plant explosions. Compromise of battery management systems could trigger thermal runaway events, disable vehicles remotely, or manipulate charging to destabilize power grids. The supply chain dependence on foreign nations for critical materials also creates strategic vulnerabilities.
- The Moss Landing battery fire occurred in January 2025.
- Matson and Alaska Marine Lines have recently made changes to their shipping policies in response to increasing fire risks associated with transporting EVs.
The players
Dr. Michael Hogan
Physicist and chairman of the Board…
