India EV chargers face cyber risks from Chinese imports

India to spend ₹2,000 crore to install 72,000-plus public EV chargers under PM E-Drive

- Manas Pimpalkhare & Ayaan Kartik

China dominates the global EV charger supply chain, supplying 80% of chargers and 50-80% of critical components like connectors and power modules.

(Bloomberg)

A recent cyberattack on Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), which forced the automaker to suspend operations at three of its UK facilities for nearly a month, has reignited conversations on cybersecurity across the auto industry, including India’s fast-expanding electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem.

The renewed scrutiny comes as India prepares to spend ₹2,000 crore to install over 72,000 public EV charging stations under the PME-Drive scheme by FY28. Industry executives and security experts warn that India’s reliance on Chinese-made components for EV chargers could leave vehicles and infrastructure vulnerable to cyber risks.

The concerns are compounded by a wider shift in China’s approach to the global EV supply chain. Since April, Beijing has imposed new export restrictions on lithium-ion batteries and rare earth magnets—two vital components for EVs—and tightened control over related technologies.

These developments have forced Indian manufacturers to identify other weak spots in their EV ecosystem, including the heavy reliance on imported electronic components for chargers.