API Security in Action: Safeguarding EV Fleets & Charging Stations

India is poised to undergo a revolutionary shift in mobility through the introduction of Electric Vehicles as the Clean Energy Ministerial of India targets 30% sales of electric vehicles by 2030, out of which 80% of EV transition is likely to happen in two and three Wheelers followed by four wheelers’ sales, approximated at 70% in overall commercial vehicles and 40% specifically in buses by 2030.

Electric Vehicle Charging Systems (EVCS)

The EVCS is an Internet-of-Things-enabled and self-contained infrastructure that runs on its proprietary firmware. Software solutions that are centered around EV charging infrastructure function as aggregators or central hubs that link together all the consumers and key stakeholders within the EV sector, enabling efficient management and operation of charging infrastructure and services.

For EV owners/users, a mobile application or a web portal is indispensable for managing charging points and overseeing the charging-as-a-service business.

In-public Charging Station Features

• Live dashboard to monitor ongoing and daily charging activities
•  Notification alerts for hardware failures and related services within the software solution.
• Report generation based on specific timelines, such as daily, weekly, or monthly summaries.
• Permission to registered EVs to access private charging stations.
• Charging sessions monitoring
• Payment collection for monthly EV charging bills.

Smart EV Apps Services

• Facilitate the discovery of public charging stations
• Enable the availability of connectors
• Assist navigation via maps
• Initiate authentication before initiating charging sessions
• Enable shared charging within the community at limited-access venues
• Inform about registered charging points and facilitate immediate payments

The Growing Threat Landscape in EV Charging

According to a recent report by Upstream, EVs account for around 15% of global new car sales, and by 2040 they are expected to occupy the major market share of new car sales. With the increase in the number of EVs and charging stations, threat actors looking for charging stations attacks have also increased. These EV charging stations can be remotely targeted by cyber attackers. Not only that, a widespread denial of service can be caused by creating widescale charging demand. Hackers are targeting charging points to access private consumer information, including credit card data.

Protecting the EV Charging Ecosystem Through Secure APIs

APIs are essential for functionalities such as facilitating the discovery of public charging stations, enabling navigation via maps, and initiating authentication before charging sessions. Moreover, APIs are used to inform users about registered charging points, facilitate immediate payments, and enable shared charging within communities, all of which require stringent security measures to prevent data breaches and unauthorized access. Various ports of entry in EV charging systems, including EV connectors, user terminals, Internet connections, and maintenance terminals, present potential security vulnerabilities that attackers may exploit. Securing APIs ensure that user authentication processes are robust and communication and data exchange between different components of charging infrastructure and smart EV apps services is secure thus safeguarding the overall security of the EV charging ecosystem.

EV Fleet Management

As more and more organizations are innovating into EVs, the requirement for robust EV Fleet Management becomes stronger. Since EVs have a shorter range, they require more frequent charging than the traditional vehicles running on traditional fuels do. This results in a wide fleet spread out into a vast area making it difficult for fleet owners to track and manage fleet vehicles. A robust fleet management system can help businesses monitor the location and status of their EV fleet vehicles in real time, making it easier to dispatch the nearest car to a customer or job site.

Fleet management encompasses a variety of functions including telematics, vehicle maintenance and finance, GPS tracking systems, vehicle diagnostics, fuel management, overseeing fleet drivers, and does the following:

• Charging Infrastructure Optimization, for real-time visibility into charging statuses
• Range and Route Planning, to enhance operational efficiency
• Performance Monitoring, to ensure optimal vehicle performance and increased lifespan.
• Carbon Emission Tracking, to foster a positive brand image.

Cyber Trends in EVs 2024 and Beyond

• The ongoing automotive digital transformation will bring about significant avenues for large-scale cyberattacks.
• With vehicles increasingly relying on software, the focus will shift towards securing APIs and IoT devices.
• As electric vehicle (EV) adoption accelerates, the associated increase in cyber risks necessitates an expansion of Chief Procurement Officers (CPOs) processes to encompass IoT protocols, standards, and regulations.

Fleets are susceptible to various types of attacks, including malware and ransomware assaults that pose risks to sensitive data. Denial-of-service attacks are also common and can render vehicles unresponsive. Remote hacking attempts are particularly concerning, as unauthorized individuals may gain control of vehicle systems, potentially leading to theft and resulting in substantial financial losses.

By securing APIs, fleet management systems can mitigate the risks posed by cyber threats, including malware and ransomware attacks, denial-of-service attacks, and remote hacking attempts. Effective API security measures safeguard against unauthorized access to sensitive data, ensure the reliability of vehicle performance monitoring, and protect against potential financial losses resulting from cyber incidents. As Chief Procurement Officers (CPOs) expand their processes to encompass IoT protocols, standards, and regulations, prioritizing API security becomes imperative to uphold the integrity and