FIA welcomes eCall type approval legislation

The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile ( FIA) Region I has welcomed the European Competitiveness Council vote to adopt the eCall type-approval legislation, while also regretting that users will have to wait another three years to benefit from this technology. The legislation mandates emergency call technology as a standard feature in all new vehicles from 2018, which the FIA says will undoubtedly accelerate the deployment of connected car technologies. Within eCall, the European Commission is mandate
March 3, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile ( FIA) Region I has welcomed the European Competitiveness Council vote to adopt the eCall type-approval legislation, while also regretting that users will have to wait another three years to benefit from this technology.

The legislation mandates emergency call technology as a standard feature in all new vehicles from 2018, which the FIA says will undoubtedly accelerate the deployment of connected car technologies. Within eCall, the 1690 European Commission is mandated to explore the need for legislation on a secure, standardised open telematics platform, which would allow independent operators to provide additional services based on vehicle data. An open platform would boost application deployment and provide consumers with real choice for applications and services. FIA Region I urges the Commission to allow free consumer choice for future connected car services by granting independent operators access to the in-vehicle telematics box.

Thierry Willemarck, president of FIA Region I, said: “Although today we see eCall moving in the right direction, it is hard to forget the long wait and lives lost as the negotiations dragged on. More lives will be lost unnecessarily until we reach the 2018 implementation deadline. Once the legislation is approved, the FIA urges the European Commission to grant independent operators access to vehicle telematics; this would allow free consumer choice for connected car services in the future.”

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