The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) says recent reporting about hacking and data privacy in connected cars has unfairly singled out EVs. The concerns followed an Australian Broadcasting Corporation program examining remote access to vehicle functions and the collection of information such as location data and camera footage.
The EVC says it has not heard from automakers that the coverage has materially affected EV sales or increased customer concerns. It argues that cybersecurity risks should be assessed across all internet-connected vehicles, rather than treated as an EV-specific issue. The Australian Automotive Dealer Association, meanwhile, says consumers are asking dealers about data practices and security protections.
Chinese brands BYD, Xpeng and Leapmotor were among those referenced in the program. BYD Australia said it would investigate the claims and has called for enforceable connected-vehicle rules applying equally to all brands; the EVC also recommends a broad government response aligned with international practice.