The RCMP is not considering Chinese-made electric vehicles to transport the prime minister, cabinet ministers or other protected people, citing safety, weight distribution and availability concerns.

The force disclosed its position in a response to an order paper question submitted by Conservative MP Raquel Dancho following the federal government’s January decision to permit 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles to enter Canada.

According to the RCMP, protective armoured vehicles must meet operational requirements and are restricted to models that manufacturers and the armouring industry can supply.

“At present, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is not considering Chinese-made electric vehicles for armoured functions within Protective Policing for a variety of technical reasons, such as safety, weight distribution issues and market availability,” the response said.

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The RCMP has neither purchased nor leased Chinese-made EVs. It has not tested or considered purchasing them for its broader fleet because the vehicles are not available through the federal government’s standing offer for light-duty vehicles.

Despite international concerns about the extensive data collected by connected vehicles, the RCMP has not assessed Chinese EVs for cybersecurity, privacy, surveillance or foreign-interference risks.

The force said such a review was unnecessary because it is not considering the vehicles for protective policing or fleet use.

The RCMP has also not developed any policy, directive or risk-assessment process governing Chinese-made EVs.

Asked whether the prime minister or ministers should travel in the vehicles for official or personal purposes, the RCMP said it had provided no direction to the government.

Chinese EVs are therefore welcome on Canadian roads under Ottawa’s new import policy, but not under consideration for carrying Canada’s most protected political officials.