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eCall emergency call system

The eCall automatic emergency call system automatically alerts the nearest emergency services control centre in the event of a serious accident and transmits key data such as the location, time and direction of travel. eCall has been mandatory in new vehicle models since 2018. TÜV NORD explains how the system works, what benefits it offers and what to look out for with retrofitted eCall solutions.

Nachtunfall mit Feuerwehr und Polizei auf der Straße

Every year, there are around 2.5 million collisions on Germany’s roads. In the event of a serious accident or a heart attack in the car, every second counts.

The automatic emergency call system, eCall, saves a lot of time. Emergency services can reach the scene of an accident more quickly than if they were alerted in the usual way – for example, via mobile phone or an emergency telephone box.

Find out here how the system works, which vehicles must be fitted with it, and where the SOS button is located in the car.

What is eCall?

  • eCall is a Europe-wide, satellite-based, in-vehicle emergency call system
  • The name eCall is derived from the English term ‘emergency call’
  • The European Commission aims to significantly reduce the number of road deaths through the introduction of eCall
  • Since 31 March 2018, an EU regulation has required all new vehicle models – both passenger cars and light commercial vehicles – to be fitted with an eCall emergency call system as standard

What types of eCall emergency call systems are available?

In the event of a serious accident involving a violent impact, the system transmits what is known as a minimum set of data (MSD) – a small data packet containing information on the vehicle’s position and other vehicle data.

There are two different systems for this:

Government eCall system

  • In this case, the relevant emergency control centre is notified directly via the 112 number
  • With EU eCall, mobile phone contracts are not strictly necessary, as emergency calls must by law be transmitted free of charge
  • The government eCall system transmits even more detailed data to the emergency services than the manufacturers’ alternative systems, e.g. how many occupants are in the vehicle

Alternative eCall systems

  • These systems are known as TPS-eCall (TPS stands for "Third Party Service")
  • These are usually additional services provided by car manufacturers that incur a charge
  • In this case, the emergency call is initially routed to the manufacturer’s call centre, from where staff then notify the relevant emergency services
  • Manufacturers can deactivate the government-run eCall if they offer their own system, to prevent the two systems from competing with one another
  • Mobile phone contracts are essential for TPS-eCalls

Can you disable the manufacturer's own eCall system?

With the mandatory introduction of the eCall system, as a vehicle owner you have the right to choose between the TPS eCall and the 112 eCall system. When purchasing a new car, you can deactivate the TPS services if you wish and instead have only the EU eCall activated. Most imported cars from foreign manufacturers have 112 preset.

EU eCall

  • emergency calls only
  • Yes (automatic and manual)
  • Voice and data (MSD)
  • nearest, locally responsible 112 emergency control centre
  • MSD only in accordance with the defined standard
  • Handled like a normal emergency call with the same high priorities
  • only if an eCall message is triggered

TPS eCall

  • combined with other additional services, such as call tracking or a call to the service centre
  • No, optional
  • Voice and data (MSD) as well as the provider’s own data
  • Manufacturer’s private call centre
  • MSD including additional data (non-standardised)
  • Standard call with no priority
  • Depending on the agreement between the customer and TPS
Frau im Auto nach einem Unfall mit ausgelöstem Airbag

How does eCall work?

  • The system automatically triggers an emergency call to 112 following a serious road accident – even if the driver is unconscious
  • An eCall emergency call is triggered by crash sensors fitted in the vehicle
  • The emergency call is geolocated via satellite and transmitted via the mobile network to the nearest emergency control centre or to a connected call centre operated by the car manufacturer
  • Depending on the system, the car’s hands-free system is automatically activated, allowing the emergency call centre to contact the vehicle occupants via the voice connection
  • If there is no response, help is organised immediately

In addition to the voice emergency call, the vehicle’s eCall system transmits a so-called minimum data set (MDS, 40 bytes) containing mission-critical information directly via the voice channel.
This includes, amongst other things:

  • the exact location of the accident (the current position, the last two sets of coordinates from 10 and 20 seconds ago, and the direction of travel)
  • the type of eCall activation (accident or ‘SOS’ button)
  • the vehicle’s telephone number for any follow-up enquiries
  • the vehicle type (car, lorry, motorbike, etc.)
  • the fuel type (petrol, diesel, LPG, electric, etc.)
  • the vehicle identification number (VIN) and
  • the number of occupants wearing seatbelts

The emergency services can be dispatched to the scene of the accident in the shortest possible time with all the relevant information. This means that injured people can be rescued and treated more quickly following serious road accidents.

TÜV NORD tip

The emergency call can also be triggered manually. This means that drivers can also make a 112 emergency call and contact the control centre in the event of other medical emergencies, such as a heart attack.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions about the eCall emergency call system

  • The eCall can also be activated manually, even if there has been no accident
  • For example, if you are unwell and there is a risk that you will be unable to continue driving (e.g. heart palpitations, impaired vision, etc.)
  • Or if you find yourself in a threatening situation
  • In this case, press the SOS button for 2 seconds
  • The vehicle data will then be transmitted and a connection established with the emergency call centre, in exactly the same way as with an automatic emergency call

Once you have pressed the SOS eCall button, the car will emit an audible and visual warning. 

You can cancel the process by pressing the eCall button again within 15 seconds.

Most new cars are fitted with an SOS button. However, very few people have probably ever used eCall. It is therefore important to know where the SOS button is located in case you need to activate it manually. 

Depending on the type of vehicle, the eCall button is located in the headliner or on the dashboard.

  • A SIM card is permanently installed in the vehicle.
  • You don’t have to pay a monthly fee for this – the car manufacturers cover that for you.
  • The built-in SIM card is provider-independent, meaning you are not tied to a specific provider; instead, the SIM card always connects to the strongest network in Germany and across Europe.
  • This means the coverage for the emergency call system is much greater than with a fixed provider.
  • The prerequisite is that there is a signal. In a tunnel or an underground car park, the signal may be insufficient and the system may not work properly. In that case, you would have to make an emergency call yourself.
  • In addition, the system has the following backup solution:
    it is normally powered by the car battery. In the event of a serious accident, the battery may be damaged and the system may no longer receive power. In this case, the backup battery takes over. A 9-volt battery is sufficient for 10 minutes of talk time and 60 minutes of standby time. This ensures that the system will always function, even in the event of a serious accident.
  • The system detects when the backup battery is running low. If the battery falls below a certain minimum voltage, it must be replaced.
  • The SIM card has a specific contract term, usually eleven years. Shortly before the end of the contract term – approximately six months beforehand – a red light will flash. In this case, have the fault read out at your garage and, if necessary, have a new SIM card fitted to the vehicle.

  • Get into the vehicle and turn the ignition on
  • Look for the SOS button: the red and green lights will illuminate simultaneously for approx. 8 seconds
  • During this self-test, the system checks that everything is working properly
  • If the lights go out after 8 seconds, the system is in good working order
  • If anything is flashing or remains lit, this is a sign that there is a technical fault
  • In that case, visit your specialist workshop and have the system checked

In principle, there is no obligation to retrofit older models that were not originally fitted with eCall as standard. However, if you would still like to have this feature, you can retrofit the automatic emergency call system using a so-called accident notification plug (UMS). 

  • To do this, simply plug the device into the vehicle’s 12-volt socket
  • It connects via Bluetooth to an app on your smartphone and uses the mobile data and GPS signal from your phone
  • The smartphone must be in the vehicle for the emergency call system to work
  • In the event of an accident, the sensors integrated into the UMS detect this and signal it to the corresponding app on the driver’s smartphone
  • The smartphone transmits the necessary information, such as the severity of the accident, the vehicle’s position and direction of travel, to an emergency response officer
  • This person attempts to make contact with the road user involved in the accident
  • If this is not possible, the local emergency services are notified
  • The eCall retrofit systems currently available on the market are TPS-eCalls – i.e. additional services provided by car manufacturers
  • Alternatively, many motor insurance companies also offer the UMS

  • The eCall system itself is free of charge
  • The costs for retrofitting this service vary among motor insurers and also depend on the specific insurance tariff chosen
  • Many car insurance companies offer it for between €10 and €20 (as of January 2023)
  • However, certain policy features are often required, such as roadside assistance

The push of a button that saves lives

What actually happens when the emergency call system is triggered? Find out what data is transmitted, how the voice connection to the emergency control centre is established, and why the system can still help even if the person is unconscious.

Understanding the eCall function

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