NG eCall Vehicle Shipments Surge as EU Network Upgrades Turn Post-Crash Safety into a Connected Vehicle Imperative

EU regulation, 2G/3G shutdowns, and richer crash intelligence are pushing automakers to treat emergency response as a software-defined vehicle capability

NEW YORK, Sept. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New vehicle approvals in Europe are accelerating the shift to Next-Generation eCall as automakers adapt to EU Regulation 2024/1180 and the retirement of legacy 2G and 3G networks. global technology intelligence firm ABI Research finds that NG eCall-enabled vehicle shipments will rise rapidly from 2026 through 2031, establishing connected post-crash safety as a core requirement for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.

“NG eCall is no longer just a compliance upgrade to emergency calling, it is becoming the communications layer for a broader connected safety architecture,” says Jennie Baker, research analyst at ABI Research. “As vehicles gain access to richer crash, occupant, and vehicle health data, automakers have an opportunity to improve emergency response before first responders even arrive on scene.”

The transition is being driven by a phased regulatory timeline that requires new M1 and N1 vehicle types seeking EU type approval to support IMS-based NG eCall from 2026, with existing production vehicle types required to comply by 2030. ABI Research expects Western Europe to lead deployment throughout the forecast period due to earlier IMS network readiness, stronger interoperability progress, and more mature NG112 implementation, while Eastern Europe transitions more gradually as PSAP modernization advances unevenly.

For OEMs and suppliers, competitive differentiation will extend beyond simply placing an emergency call. Companies including Mobileye, Seeing Machines, Qualcomm, Ericsson, HARMAN, and 5GAA illustrate how sensing, compute, connectivity, interoperability testing, and in-cabin intelligence are converging to support a more informed and resilient post-crash response model.

“The real value in connected safety will depend on the intelligence surrounding the call, not the call itself,” Baker says. “Sensor fusion, edge AI, centralized compute, resilient communications, and software-defined updates will determine which automakers can turn emergency response into a long-term platform for safety, service innovation, and brand differentiation.”

These findings are from ABI Research’s Next Generation eCall & Post-Crash Safety in the European Union report, part of the company’s Automotive research service, which includes research, data, and ABI Insights. 

About ABI Research

ABI Research is a global technology intelligence firm uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology solution providers and end-market companies. We serve as the bridge that seamlessly connects these two segments by providing exclusive research and expert guidance to drive successful technology implementations and deliver strategies proven to attract and retain customers.

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For more information about ABI Research’s services, contact us at +1.516.624.2500 in the Americas, +44.203.326.0140 in Europe, +65.6592.0290 in Asia-Pacific, or visit www.abiresearch.com.

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