A recent report has highlighted the growing risk of cyber attacks as global sales of electric vehicles (EVs) increase by 60% worldwide, with one in every seven passenger cars purchased being an EV.
The surge in consumer demand for EVs presents unprecedented security challenges, according to cybersecurity company Check Point Research. As the EV industry expands rapidly, the installation of new EV charging stations in parking lots and on street corners becomes a potential target for cyber attackers, putting EV charging networks, vehicles, and connected power grids at risk.
In India, EV sales reached 1.17 million units in the financial year 2023, and vulnerabilities in products and applications related to electric vehicle charging stations have been reported to the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In).
Researchers have already identified vulnerabilities that could allow hackers to remotely disable EV chargers or steal electricity, potentially causing power fluctuations and outages. The report points out that the cyber security measures for EV chargers have often been an afterthought, as they are interconnected with other infrastructure.
The Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) is particularly susceptible to cyber security vulnerabilities and attacks, as it bridges the transportation and energy sectors, creating potential impacts on finances, business operations, and human safety.
