EV Council tells CarExpert connected-car hacking controversy has not dented electric vehicle demand
The Electric Vehicle Council told CarExpert it has not heard from member manufacturers of buyer pushback since the ABC's Four Corners report on connected-car hacking, arguing the debate unfairly singles out EVs — as CarExpert separately reports calls for tougher Australian connected-car data laws.
Automatically researched, written and checked using AI. Verify details against the sources.
EV Council says buyers are not being deterred
The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) says Australian new-vehicle buyers are not being put off electric cars by the recent controversy over hacking and data security in connected vehicles, and that electric cars have been unfairly singled out by the coverage, as CarExpert reported in an interview conducted as the EVC issued its 'State of Electric Vehicles 2026' report. 1
Speaking to CarExpert, the EVC's head of legal, policy and advocacy, Aman Gaur, said the Council had not heard from its member vehicle manufacturers of any buyer response since the high-profile report aired. "We have not heard from our OEMs [vehicle manufacturers] of that response," he told CarExpert — an account of feedback relayed by the Council, not an affirmative statement from manufacturers themselves that sales or buyer concern were unaffected. 1
The Council argues the debate should not focus on EVs alone. "This narrow focus on EVs is not productive and, really, what we need to be doing is considering all connected vehicles as one, and then looking at it in terms of risk analysis," Mr Gaur told CarExpert, adding that any connected instrument these days raises security issues that should be considered. The EVC's 2026 report recommends a holistic government policy response aligned with international best practice, stating: "Australia is by no means alone in navigating the challenge of increasingly connected vehicles." 1
The report behind the controversy, and the industry responses
The catalyst was a Four Corners investigation aired on the ABC on September 21, which examined connected cars — vehicles connected to the internet — being 'hacked' to allow remote access to certain vehicle functions, and questioned the storage, sharing and use of personal data such vehicles can collect, including location, camera footage and potential access to audio from in-car phone calls, according to CarExpert's account. 1
CarExpert reported that the BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute featured heavily in the program, with models from Chinese automakers Xpeng and Leapmotor also noted. Neither Xpeng Australia nor Leapmotor Australia has made public comments. BYD Australia issued a statement after the program saying it would investigate the claims and offer a detailed response, but CarExpert reported it is yet to do so. "Personal data generated by BYD vehicles in Australia is stored on Australian servers," chief operating officer Stephen Collins said in a statement issued to CarExpert — a claim CarExpert qualified by noting the automaker has previously told it the data is temporarily stored in Australia on Telstra servers. "We have publicly called for purpose-built connected-vehicle legislation in Australia — a clear, enforceable standard applying equally to every brand in this market. We welcome that scrutiny and would comply fully with any such framework," Mr Collins added. 1
The Australian Automotive Dealer Association also responded after the program, with CEO James Voortman saying in a statement that dealers had been facing an increasing number of consumer questions. "Australian car buyers are asking legitimate questions about connected vehicle technologies and deserve clear answers," he said, adding that those questions extend beyond privacy to how the technologies operate, what protections exist and how manufacturers and regulators are managing cybersecurity and safety risks. 1
A growing market, and broader regulatory pressure
The controversy has not coincided with any evident sales slowdown. CarExpert reported that battery-electric vehicles reached a record 24.9 per cent share of the Australian new-vehicle market in August, outselling both petrol and diesel vehicles for the first time, and that earlier in 2026 the Tesla Model Y became the first EV to top the national monthly sales chart in May, repeating the result in June and August. 1
CarExpert also noted vehicle hacking pre-dates the rise of EVs, with researchers from the University of Washington and UC San Diego in the US demonstrating vehicle security vulnerabilities as far back as 2010 — though EVs and 'software-defined vehicles' are typically internet-connected, potentially increasing vulnerabilities as over-the-air software updates become more common. 1
In related reporting in July, CarExpert detailed calls for the federal government to tighten connected-car data laws. The Australian Electric Vehicle Association urged tougher legislation governing internet-enabled vehicles, saying Australia's framework based on the Privacy Act 1988 and voluntary industry standards was no longer robust enough, and CarExpert reported that earlier in 2026 the Australian Privacy Commissioner had confirmed investigations into two unnamed automakers over potential privacy breaches, with no findings released publicly. 2
AI evidence finder
Ask about this article
Ask a question to find relevant published passages and source links. AI selects evidence; the passages remain exactly as published.
Behind this report
Sources & context
Cited source mix
2 cited pages across 1 website
- News publisher 2
Website breakdown
- CarExpertcarexpert.com.au2 pages
Publisher roles are documented for all cited pages. Websites may share ownership or repeat the same reporting.
Saved research extracts
2 / 2 cited pages with saved extracts
0 shortened at our text limit · 0 without a saved-extract record
Extracts retrieved 30 Sep 2026.
Extracts can omit page content. These counts do not verify claims or measure independent reporting. Political leaning and reliability are not rated.
- Australia's peak EV body says connected-car controversy unfairly singles out electric vehiclesNews publisherSource extract saved
Why these labels?Australia's peak EV body says connected-car controversy unfairly singles out electric vehicles
Who produced it
Publishes automotive news and reviews and operates a car-buying service connecting buyers with dealers. Identity reference ↗
How this report uses it
Cited in 8 paragraphs: EV Council says buyers are not being deterred; The report behind the controversy, and the industry responses; A growing market, and broader regulatory pressure.
This describes its use in our report. It does not establish the source’s editorial stance or independently corroborate every claim.
Evidence record
Text retrieved 30 Sep 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- Australian Government urged to tighten connected-car data laws | CarExpertNews publisherSource extract saved
Why these labels?Australian Government urged to tighten connected-car data laws | CarExpert
Who produced it
Publishes automotive news and reviews and operates a car-buying service connecting buyers with dealers. Identity reference ↗
How this report uses it
Cited in 1 paragraph: A growing market, and broader regulatory pressure.
This describes its use in our report. It does not establish the source’s editorial stance or independently corroborate every claim.
Evidence record
Text retrieved 30 Sep 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
Keep reading
Related subjects and more from this section.
Electric Vehicle Council says rate rises won't slow EV demand as 2026 sales double
Australia's peak EV body released its State of EVs 2026 report on the same day the Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate to 4.6 per cent, arguing cost-of-living savings are driving electric car sales rather than deterring them.
