Poland is preparing potential restrictions on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) near sensitive military locations, reflecting growing European concern that advanced automotive technologies could pose data security risks, according to officials and local media reports.
Polish authorities are drafting rules that could prohibit such vehicles from entering military installations and adjacent parking areas, a move that would follow similar steps taken by the United Kingdom to limit access by Chinese EVs to defense-related zones. The focus is on modern cars’ use of cameras, sensors and radar systems that can collect detailed environmental and geolocation data.
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A recent Polish study described Chinese vehicles as “smartphones on wheels,” highlighting their ability to scan surroundings and gather large volumes of data. “Smart cars have enormous data collection capabilities through high-resolution cameras, sensors, and LiDAR systems, which use active 3D mapping technology,” said Paulina Uznańska, the study’s author, in comments reported by PAP. “This creates a very high potential for the use of such vehicles for intelligence analysis purposes.”
In response, General Wiesław Kukuła, Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, is expected to issue a formal directive banning Chinese-made vehicles from military facilities nationwide, Polish media have reported. The Ministry of National Defense has confirmed it is drafting a policy along those lines.
UK lawmakers last year cited Chinese laws that can require companies to provide data access to the state, raising concerns that information gathered by vehicle cameras, sensors and radar could be accessed by authorities in China. Polish officials are examining similar risks as Chinese EVs become more common on European roads.
Any Polish restrictions are expected to apply not only to vehicles sold under Chinese brands such as BYD, MG, Nio, Xpeng and Aiways, but also to any cars using Chinese-developed software or sensor components, according to industry sources.
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Some analysts have suggested the debate could extend beyond military sites to other sensitive infrastructure, including airports, though any broader measures would need to comply with European Union competition rules and avoid legal challenges.
