Brussels, 13/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 13 June, the European Commission put forward the suggestion that the automated emergency call for road accidents, eCall, should be mandatory in cars from October 2015.
In the event of accident, the system triggers an automatic call to emergency services via the single European emergency call number, 112, specifying where the vehicles are to be found. “When an accident happens, every minute counts to rescue injured victims. The eCall technology has great potential to save lives in shortening dramatically the time of intervention of emergency services and this across the EU”, explains Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas.
The Commission estimates that some 2,500 lives could be saved on European roads. It suggests that, by 2015, all cars and light commercial vehicles should be equipped with the eCall system. The cost to manufacturers is estimated at €100 per vehicle. The Commission suggests two legislative texts: - a regulation on the type-approval requirements for deployment of eCall (this text amends Directive 2007/46/EC applicable in this field) to adapt vehicles to the system; - and a decision on the deployment of the eCall service that would be interoperable throughout the Union in order to adjust public infrastructure to the system.
“The deployment of an interoperable EU-wide eCall system (…) is also an important step forward to make our vehicles more intelligent and enhance our competitiveness”, said Industry Commissioner Antonio Tajani. It is expected that there will be an impact on industry, as eCall will require the provision of technologies, components and services. The reduction of road traffic hold-ups caused by accidents will also have a positive economic effect.
Although manufacturers welcome the proposal, they doubt whether it is possible to put everything in place within the time set. “The automobile industry is very concerned that the proposed October 2015 entry into force does not respect the 36-month lead time that the industry will need to implement the technical adaptations, as recommended in CARS 2020”, said Ivan Hodac of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).
Mobile operators in the GSMA association, which represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, support the Commission's initiative. Michael O'Hara, of GSMA, says: “Not only will eCall save lives, but the rapid growth of the connected car market will be driven in part by this positive regulatory action”. He calls on member states to provide mobile operators with routing information within a reasonable time period, saying: “This will allow operators to put the necessary processes in place to ensure eCall messages connect with the correct emergency call centre and local services”.
The proposals must be examined and adopted by the Council and the EP. (MD with IL/transl.jl)