EVs are beginning to electrify the second hand car market. In the second quarter of this year, used electric vehicle sales increased by 80% compared to the same time last year and despite the Government’s five year deferment of the ICE ban, EV adoption is expected to continue.
Consequently, against the backdrop of a skills shortage, a severe need for training, and the installation of EV infrastructure is needed, and this focus will likely sharpen as we enter the New Year, particularly as second hand EV’s infiltrate the independent repair sector.
For some, however, the investment is still perceived to be a step too far. But regardless of how deeply a garage future-proofs itself, they are all susceptible to a new danger – cybercrime.
Contrary to belief, cyber criminals don’t just focus on large corporations. According to reports, automotive hacks have increased by 225 per cent in the last five years and remote attacks accounted for 85 per cent of all breaches.
Cybercrime is no longer a perceived future threat – the automotive industry has passed the inflection point, and there is today a very clear and present risk. Even the average vehicle contains over 100 control units, opening up a number of potential points for cyber-attacks, and traditional internal combustion engine vehicles with digital interfaces are susceptible to cyber intrusions.
For electric vehicles the risk is heightened and even an EV charging point introduces a new set of vulnerabilities, turning what might seem like a simple power source into a potential gateway for cyberattacks. Beyond their primary function, EV charging points facilitate a crucial digital interaction, known as the ‘digital handshake’, between the vehicle and the charging point each time a car is plugged in, providing two way communication with the vehicle. However, this interaction poses an often overlooked risk, creating an attack surface that malicious hackers could exploit to infiltrate a garage’s systems, exposing customer data.
In the event of a successful cyber intrusion, the consequences can be severe. Beyond compromising the vehicle’s performance, a breach could lead to unauthorised access to personal and financial data stored within the vehicle’s systems. Instances like the recent Tesla hacks, where hackers managed to manipulate autonomous driving features and gain control over various functions, serve as stark reminders of the vulnerability of modern vehicles.
At the very least, understanding the vulnerabilities in a garage’s connected system and Wi-Fi network is vital.
While the possibility of cyberattacks cannot be entirely eliminated, there are proactive measures that can be adopted, from implementing robust firewall systems to staying updated on the latest security protocols. As vehicle manufacturers continue to develop new infotainment, ADAS, and tech features, cybercrime risk will become a defining challenge within the industry, so it is essential that the risks are realised, and a vigilant stance is taken against potential threats.
