Why is a second EC communication on intelligent cars needed now?
The new communication takes up beneficial developments related to eCall (the pan-European in-vehicle emergency call system) and electronic stability control (ESC) that have taken place since the adoption of the first communication. With regard to eCall, the commitment of member states and other stakeholders has now reached a level that allows starting negotiations with the automotive industry with the aim to have eCall as a standard option for all new cars from 2010 on. These negotiations will begin later this year. As to ESC, the new communication envisages full availability of ESC for all types of cars, including middle-class and small cars, as of 2012. Of course, the communication looks at a range of other issues as well. For instance, it brings crash-avoidance technologies more into the focus of the discussion.
