Mounting worries regarding reliance on technology are transforming Europe’s strategy for public transit and digital security. A sector that was previously calm and effective in Scandinavia is now the focal point of an intense discussion concerning national defense and digital autonomy.
Rising alarms over Chinese-built buses
Public transport providers in Denmark and Norway are facing a possible security vulnerability within their electric bus fleets, particularly in vehicles manufactured by Yutong, the globe’s leading bus producer headquartered in Zhengzhou, China. The problem arises from the buses’ capacity to accept remote software updates and perform diagnostic assessments – a functionality that, despite its technological sophistication, also sparks worries that the vehicles could be disabled or controlled remotely.
Movia, the premier public transportation authority in Denmark, has conceded that this wireless capability could enable an external entity—be it the producer or a cybercriminal—to remotely incapacitate a bus. Jeppe Gaard, Movia’s chief operating officer, clarified that this issue isn’t exclusive to Chinese manufacturers but represents a wider concern linked to the growing digital integration in contemporary vehicles. Both electric cars and buses, he pointed out, are heavily dependent on networked systems that are, theoretically, susceptible to remote access and deactivation.
Since 2019, Movia has incorporated more than 260 Yutong buses into its fleet serving Copenhagen and eastern Denmark. Similar concerns were echoed in Norway, where Ruter, a major public transportation provider, conducted its own investigation. The company carried out controlled tests on both Yutong and Dutch-made VDL buses in secure, underground facilities. The findings showed that while the Dutch models lacked remote update capabilities, Yutong maintained direct digital access to its vehicles for software updates and diagnostics — meaning that, at least theoretically, the buses could be rendered inoperable remotely, even though they could not be remotely driven.
China’s reaction and data security guarantees
Yutong has addressed these allegations by asserting its adherence to global standards and underscoring its dedication to data protection and digital security. The company declared that all vehicle-related data within the European Union is safely stored in an Amazon Web Services data facility situated in Frankfurt, Germany. Yutong additionally guaranteed that all retained information is encrypted, safeguarded by stringent access limitations, and cannot be accessed without explicit customer consent.
Despite these reassurances, European authorities and transit companies remain cautious. The incident has intensified discussions about Europe’s growing dependency on Chinese technology — a relationship characterized by mutual economic benefits but shadowed by deep geopolitical mistrust. Beijing’s alleged involvement in cyber espionage, intellectual property theft, and surveillance activities has led many European leaders to reconsider the long-term implications of their reliance on Chinese suppliers for critical infrastructure.
A wider European predicament
The scrutiny surrounding Yutong’s buses is only the latest episode in Europe’s complex technological relationship with China. Across the continent, policymakers are attempting to strike a delicate balance between leveraging China’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and protecting national interests. Recent events — including the Netherlands’ decision to seize control of the Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia — have fueled concerns that Europe’s automotive and technology sectors could face major disruptions in the event of diplomatic or trade tensions.
Many governments have already taken steps to limit exposure to potential vulnerabilities. Several European nations, following the example of the United States, have removed Huawei and ZTE equipment from their 5G networks, citing risks of espionage and data manipulation. Now, attention has shifted to the rapidly growing market for Chinese electric vehicles. According to consultancy JATO Dynamics, Chinese EVs doubled their market share in Europe in early 2025, reaching over 5% — a figure that highlights both consumer interest and regulatory unease.
China, for its part, has dismissed Western fears as unfounded and politically motivated. Earlier this year, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry criticized U.S. restrictions on Chinese automotive technology, arguing that such measures “overstretch the concept of national security.” Chinese officials maintain that their companies operate transparently and pose no threat to foreign nations.
Western intelligence concerns
Security specialists throughout Europe, however, maintain a degree of skepticism. Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, cautioned that Western administrations are confronting a predicament akin to the one presented by Huawei during the deployment of 5G technology. From his perspective, the growing ubiquity of internet-connected automobiles produced by Chinese companies might introduce novel points of weakness. He posited that, under the most dire circumstances, China could hypothetically incapacitate numerous electric vehicle fleets in prominent urban centers — a situation capable of paralyzing transit systems during an emergency.
Still, some cybersecurity experts contend that such a situation, though technically possible, is improbable. Ken Munro, the creator of the Anglo-American company Pen Test Partners, pointed out that any vehicle connected to the internet—regardless of whether it’s manufactured by a Western or Chinese firm—inherently carries dangers of distant manipulation. Even prominent names such as Tesla, he clarified, rely on software connections that could be compromised under particular circumstances.
In response to these concerns, Ruter has implemented a series of protective measures, including enhanced cybersecurity protocols, firewalls, and stricter oversight of future vehicle acquisitions. The company is also working with national authorities to establish clearer cybersecurity standards for public transport systems. However, experts remain divided on whether such precautions are sufficient. Munro cautioned that the only foolproof method to eliminate the risk would be to completely remove online connectivity from vehicles — a move that would also hinder the ability to perform critical updates and maintenance remotely.
The intersection of innovation and vulnerability
The debate unfolding in Scandinavia underscores a broader paradox of the digital age: the same technologies that enable efficiency and innovation can also expose systems to new forms of risk. As cities strive to modernize public transport and reduce carbon emissions through electrification, they must also grapple with questions of technological sovereignty, data privacy, and national security.
Europe’s dependence on Chinese-manufactured parts and programs reaches well beyond its public transportation systems. From its communication grids to its green energy facilities, the continent’s advancement is profoundly linked to China’s industrial framework. As international conflicts escalate, the task for European countries will involve safeguarding their technological autonomy while continuing their journey towards ecological balance and pioneering development.
The controversy surrounding Yutong’s buses has made one thing clear: cybersecurity is now as crucial as clean energy in shaping the future of urban mobility. The issue is not confined to any one country or manufacturer — it represents a defining test for the next phase of Europe’s digital transformation.
In the end, as Ken Munro aptly summarized, the debate boils down to one word — trust. And in an increasingly interconnected world, trust may prove to be the most valuable and fragile asset of all.
