An action plan for getting eCall back on track

Creation date: 13 December 2006

The European Commission has proposed an urgent set of actions to restart moves to roll out the in-vehicle emergency call eCall in Europe. The Commission-industry action plan agreed in 2005 to add eCall to all new cars in Europe by 2009 has stalled, warns the Commission status report of 23 November. While there has been significant progress at European level, some Member States have been slow to invest in infrastructure, and industry now refuses further action.

"We urgently need to get eCall back on track," said Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media. "We have the technology. Now we need industry and Member States to move up a gear and help us make Europe's roads safer sooner rather than later."

The initial 2005 Commission-industry agreement contained a framework for rolling out eCall in Europe, targeting Member States which had to invest in emergency rescue service infrastructure. The Commission also agreed to monitor progress closely, and to take further action if eCall deployment was endangered. As eCall is based on the single European emergency number 112 and its location enhancement, E112, their implementation was also followed.

This led to serious concerns. While the Commission has taken several measures supporting eCall deployment and standardisation, and some Member States have already started eCall deployment, many are not on track with the necessary infrastructure. Industry has already reacted with a new deployment timetable of 2010 instead of 2009.

The Commission's response is the Communication adopted on 23 November, "Bringing eCall back on track – Action Plan". It presents two actions that are crucial for making eCall a reality:

1. Member States have been given clear actions with deadlines for solving the remaining legal, technical and socio-economic issues and proceeding with the necessary 112, E112 and eCall infrastructures;
2. Industry is asked to renew its commitment to eCall. The Commission will also start negotiations with the associations of the automotive industry on a voluntary agreement for introducing eCall devices into vehicles.

The Commission will provide further assistance by working on privacy and standardisation, and through field tests and public awareness campaigns, as part of the Intelligent Car initiative within the Commission's i2010 strategy - a European Information Society for growth and jobs.