Just opened an Email re two gentlemen removing a newish car from outside the owners home. No key needed nor did they need to be anywhere near the owners key.
West Midlands police have recommended the use of a Thatcham type approved anti theft device such as a steering lock. Remember the 70's? I parked my police Metro in a public car park. When I came back went to a white Metro not paying attention and unlocked it. NOT my metro. Oh dear embarrassment. Locked it and tried not to look too obvious. Is this what is going to happen with these latest ideas of key less entry.
Not sure if this is an EV/Autonomous vehicle question or just a general one affecting MK3 models and others with key less entry
Modern cars can either be started and stolen with a key and chip (probably the most secure) via OBD port or if keyless remotely via a couple of electronic boxes. This I am afraid is the future of vehicles whether ICE, EV or Autonomous. We have been lured by 'convenience' by all sorts of slick adverts, 'control your home from your phone', 'summon your car via a phone app', - but anything that works on wireless, is connected to phone network or internet is never going to be secure - my first Honda had an infrared remote, much more secure than a wireless one (which can be intercepted and cloned), but not as 'convenient' because you had to point it a area above interior rear view mirror, not convenient enough for many people, but pretty secure.
Autonomous cars will become magnets for Hackers, as peteo48 rightly says. I can imagine the car stopping suddenly and the large info screen in the vehicle flashing up a message 'your operating system has been encrypted, to continue your journey you can pay via your debit or credit card the sum of £5,000 via your phone'.
What is convenient for the lawful owner normally turns out to be convenient for people who would also like to posses or make money from the vehicle as well. The law of unintended consequences strikes again.... (normally a case of designers not thinking things through).