Faster rescue and better chances of survival: The automatic emergency call system eCall or „Emergency Call“ immediately dials the European emergency number 112 in the event of serious accidents. More and more vehicles are equipped with eCall, because for all passenger cars and light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes that have been newly type-approved since 1 April 2018, the system has long been mandatory.
Studies show that emergency responders arrive at the scene 40 to 50 percent faster thanks to this rescue system. According to GTÜ Gesellschaft für Technische Überwachung mbH, it is a useful warning system that has already saved many lives.
Automatic eCall Triggers
When airbags deploy in an accident, according to GTÜ experts this is a clear sign of potential serious injuries, and eCall is automatically triggered. Through the unified emergency number 112 the emergency dispatch center then receives the location and time of the accident, as well as information about
driving direction, vehicle type along with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and fuel type. It also learns the number of occupied seats when the seat belts are fastened.
If the crash victims are responsive, the rescuers can ask questions about injuries via the eCall system's voice connection. The system can also be activated via an SOS emergency button if the vehicle itself does not report a crash. This can be sensible in medical emergencies, according to GTÜ. In minor accidents or a parking bump, the automatic system remains silent.
Even in the event of a technical breakdown, eCall should not be activated; breakdown services with their numbers are available for that. The system is always active and cannot be switched off with a click in the infotainment menu. If someone deactivates it, they lose a component of the vehicle's type-approval and thus its operating permit.
How eCall Works
The automatic emergency call system includes a
satellite receiver that determines the exact accident position. An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) with a permanently installed mobile SIM card then establishes the connection to the nearest antenna mast with the strongest signal. This ECU also receives the data from the crash sensors and the airbag interface. A hands-free device also enables the voice connection between the vehicle occupants and the emergency center. Its own power supply keeps the system ready independently of the car's starter battery. Some devices also have an emergency call button and even theft tracking. However, during a main inspection, the inspection engineers do not test the function of eCall.
Help via Mobile Phone
Modern smartphones can also detect severe accidents with the help of their sensors, then contact emergency call centers, transmit the location, and establish a voice connection. In this way, even vehicles without a permanently installed emergency call system, such as vintage cars, can transmit an emergency call.
The eCall system legally mandated in passenger cars only connects to the mobile network after an accident. The transmission takes place over a secure connection. In addition, the emergency call system cannot store driving data or data about the vehicle owner.
Data Transmission via 5G
The future and improved technology for the emergency call system is called „Next Generation eCall“. It should also send data via the 4G network (LTE) and the 5G mobile network being built. Currently, eCall still uses 2G.
From 1 January 2026, GTÜ states, type approval for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles will only be possible if they have Next Generation eCall. And from 2027 the system is to become mandatory for all new cars. The connections via newer mobile networks will then not only be faster and more stable, but the system should also have additional features, such as a video connection directly into the crashed car, according
