Key Facts
• U.S. authorities ordered inspections of solar-powered highway infrastructure on September 10, 2025.
• Devices under scrutiny include chargers, weather stations, and traffic cameras.
• Concerns focus on hidden wireless devices in batteries and inverters.
• A four-page security note identified unauthorized cellular radios in foreign-made inverters.
• Many inverters are reportedly manufactured in China, raising national security risks.
• Risks include potential blackouts and data breaches in U.S. highway systems.
• Affected infrastructure includes traffic signs, EV chargers, and visitor areas.
• Authorities recommended inventory checks, spectrum analysis, and removal of unauthorized devices.
• The Chinese Embassy in Washington denied allegations, calling them distortions of China’s achievements.
• The U.S. Department of Transportation summarized findings in a non-classified report.
Summary
U.S. authorities have initiated inspections of solar-powered highway infrastructure, including chargers, weather stations, and traffic cameras, to detect unauthorized wireless devices potentially hidden in batteries and inverters. A security note revealed the discovery of unapproved cellular radios in foreign-made inverters, many of which are reportedly manufactured in China. This has raised concerns about national security risks, such as blackouts and data breaches. The U.S. Department of Transportation has urged agencies to conduct inventory checks, scan devices using spectrum analysis, and remove unauthorized components. The Chinese Embassy in Washington has rejected these claims, stating they misrepresent China’s technological contributions. The investigation highlights growing U.S. efforts to mitigate risks associated with foreign-made technology in critical infrastructure.
