Mediaroom

• European Commission presents key points of their latest report on access to in-vehicle data to industry stakeholders 
• By 2025, 30% of the vehicle park will be connected 
• Regulating data access can ensure fair and equal access for all service providers to create a competitive market 

The number of connected vehicles is growing rapidly, being expected to represent 30% of the vehicle park by 2025. New cars include ever more connectivity-based services such as route planning, system diagnostics, or emergency assistance, and many more are currently being developed. This software-based technology generates an important data flow, that is also valuable to an expanding market that can make use of it, offer new services to consumers, or improve upon existing repair and maintenance services. 

The European Commission is currently assessing regulatory options on remote repair and maintenance and other services based on data generated by vehicles. CLEPA welcomes the Commission’s initiative and its ambitious Data Strategy, and iterates that regulating data access at EU level can and should help ensure fair and equal access for all providers of services to create a competitive market environment for the benefit and in the best interests of consumers.  

With the aim of taking stock of the latest market developments and ensuring that these are considered in the regulatory process, the European Commission hosted a session with industry stakeholders on 17 September. The meeting presented an opportunity to share points of convergence by insurance, consumer, and mobility organisations, and to align on how to best guarantee a data space that can satisfy ever more complex mobility needs and services. 

The European Commission’s consultant, TRL, presented the main findings from a study on the current market situation. CLEPA is pleased to note that the report highlights the same concerns that automotive suppliers have expressed with regards to current limitations and open questions on the deployment of services utilising in-vehicle data. Building on these findings, TRL presented possible measures for consideration in upcoming legislation and proposed several policy options for the Commission’s deliberation. 

The Commission also presented their planned roadmap and next steps. CLEPA looks forward to the final TRL report to be published. A draft legislative proposal was announced for the first quarter of next year. 

“Innovation in this area requires that car data must be shared amongst the different economic actors. Fair and undistorted competition is a prerequisite to leverage Europe’s full innovation power in mobility services. Any privileged position in the data stream or in the flow of information between a vehicle and the next point of communication has the potential of limiting or even excluding market players from providing services. Regulating data access as planned by the European Commission can ensure fair and equal access for all providers to create a competitive market for the benefit of consumers.” says CLEPA’s Secretary General Sigrid de Vries. 

Reflecting on the future of the industry on access to in-vehicle data, CLEPA released a position paper earlier this year. Automotive suppliers believe that, in the homologation process for new vehicles, vehicle manufacturers should provide full transparency on technically available data points, telematics capabilities, and the respective processes for third parties to allow an independent and unmonitored access to in-vehicle data and resources. 

For further information, contact CLEPA’s Communications department.