Crawford Leads T&I Colleagues in Highlighting Concerns Over DOT’s Lack of Cybersecurity Requirements for EV Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)

Crawford Leads T&I Colleagues in Highlighting Concerns Over DOT’s Lack of Cybersecurity Requirements for EV Network

9/13/2023 

Washington, D.C. – Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman Rick Crawford (R-AR) and 13 Members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressing concerns over the lack of effective cybersecurity requirements in the Biden Administration’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which was established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

“By connecting our electric and transportation infrastructure, which includes the electric grid, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, EVs, and personal mobile phones, the program will significantly increase the Nation’s cybersecurity attack surface. Cyberattacks on EV charging stations could harm electric grid safety and performance, disable chargers, and potentially strand motorists, as well as expose personal identifiable information to cyber exploits,” Crawford and other Members wrote. “Without adequate cybersecurity requirements and safeguards, communities across the country will be vulnerable to the real-world consequences of malicious cyber acts that harm the electric grid, transportation, public safety, and privacy.”

One of their specific concerns is the Administration’s willingness to leave the development of NEVI cybersecurity protections up to the states without any substantial or uniform guidance, potentially leading to a patchwork system of up to 50 different approaches, in addition to security gaps.

The Members’ letter added, “This effort should leverage existing cybersecurity best practices and commercially available cybersecurity solutions. Ensuring the electric grid’s cybersecurity is just one of the many challenges stemming from the Biden Administration’s push for the widespread deployment of EVs and their requisite charging infrastructure. As the Department continues its deployment of the NEVI program, we strongly urge you to provide guidance and move quickly to address these potential vulnerabilities to protect the security of Americans and our Nation’s grid.”

Read the full letter here.