WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and U.S. Representative. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), Chairman of the House Select Committee on China, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urging an investigation into Autel Energy, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) charging startup, and its connections to the Chinese Communist Party. Autel Energy represents a national security risk to the United States given its access to consumer data and critical grid infrastructure.

Autel Energy Shares a Parent Company with Autel Robotics, a Company U.S. Government Recently Listed as National Security Concern

“Autel Energy manufactures electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Autel Intelligent Transportation Corp.—the same parent company to Chinese drone maker Autel Robotics, which the U.S. government recently added to the Department of Commerce’s Entity List and the Chinese military companies list. We are concerned that Autel Energy’s products pose many of the same risks to U.S. economic and national security as those manufactured by Autel Robotics and its parent company, both of which are openly affiliated with the CCP and People’s Liberation Army.”

Autel Energy Has Taken Steps to Hide Ties to Chinese-Controlled Parent Company

“Autel Energy styles itself as Autel Intelligent Technology Corp. on its website but has otherwise taken steps to hide the company’s ties to its Chinese controlled parent corporation through new investments in the U.S., where affiliation with a strategic ally of the PRC is deliberately deemphasized. The company recently opened a new assembly facility in the United States and claims that it manufactures Build America, Buy America compliant products that are eligible for the federal government’s EV infrastructure support program. This follows the same playbook deployed by Autel Robotics, which previously advertised a ‘Made in USA’ drone for sale in American markets, targeted towards state and local governments, even though the drone utilized prohibited technology from ZTE and HiSilicon.”

Blackburn, Moolenaar Push for Investigation into Autel Energy to Protect Consumer Data and National Security

“And much like Autel Robotics, Autel Energy products have the capacity to access and collect significant sensitive consumer data that could be used for nefarious purposes. The company operates with few—if any—restrictions, even though the EV charging stations they manufacture, sell, and deploy in the U.S. can collect and transmit sensitive driver data generated by electric vehicles during a charging session. These products are also connected to critical electrical infrastructure, enhancing the risks posed to American economic and national security. For these reasons, we request that your agencies investigate whether Autel Energy meets the requirements for designation on the aforementioned lists.”

Click here to read the full letter.