I’m an EV owner – here’s why they pose a risk to drivers and can be easy to steal

An electric vehicle owner has discovered why drivers are at risk as a key feature makes them easy to steal.

The driver, identified as TB, pointed to sophisticated technologies that could make cars more vulnerable to criminals.

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In a letter to The Telegraphthey explained their fears that key fob signal interception could be used to jam their £43,000 engine.

TB asked: “With the increasing use of key fob signal monitoring to steal cars, would I have better security if I used the Hyundai app on my smartphone instead of my key fob to lock and unlock my Hyundai Ioniq 5?”

Thieves have been known to use devices called Relay Interceptors to aid in their nefarious crimes.

The gadgets effectively copy and replay the signal transmitted by your electronic key fob.

This tricks the computer in your car into thinking that the signal is actually coming from the key and consequently unlocks the door.

Additionally, if your car has keyless ignition, which many models do, this is even more dangerous as the signal can be used to start the engine, allowing the thief to escape in seconds.

To counteract this, manufacturers are increasingly replacing electronic key fobs with apps.

However, this exposes drivers to various forms of theft, and gives hackers even more power when they can access your smartphone.

If your phone is hacked or stolen, those responsible may be able to access your passwords and the vehicle’s vehicle identification number.

These can then be used to set up the app on the hacker’s own phone, essentially causing the same problem as relay attacks.

If you’re particularly worried about theft, many brands offer the option of purchasing an old-fashioned physical key fob for a fee.

And the government reportedly wants to crack down on relay theft and prosecute anyone caught with a relay device without a legitimate reason for owning such a device.

This comes after an engine expert explained why electric vehicles could be more dangerous than petrol cars in the event of a fire.

Meanwhile, a cleaning expert has revealed some cheap tricks you can use to keep your engine clean and avoid a hefty fine.

Hyundai has been contacted for comment.