EU committee calls for access to in-vehicle data for all third parties

Brussels – the Transport Committee of the European Parliament has voted for an “own initiative report” which calls for legislative measures to allow access to in-vehicle data to all third parties, including tire-makers.

The report, which covers several aspects of cooperative intelligent transport systems, urges the European Commission to “take appropriate legislative steps to unlock the full potential of the digital revolution”, said the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) on 21 Feb.

This, according to ETRMA, will increase innovation in the automotive sector within the EU.

To achieve this objective, the Committee has asked the European Commission to publish a legislative proposal on access to in-vehicle data before the end of the year.

The report also specifies that such proposal should guarantee a “fair, timely and unrestricted access” to such data for all third parties.

The objective is to allow the entire automotive value chain and end users to benefit from digitalisation and guarantee a level playing field, the ETRMA report added.

Voicing its full support for the report, ETRMA noted that access to in-vehicle data was “necessary to promote consumer rights, innovation and ensure fair, non-discriminatory competition”.

“ETRMA entirely supports this approach as in-vehicle data are an essential “raw material” for the tire digital revolution,” the association added.

The “fair and unimpeded access” to the data, said ETRMA, will “guarantee the ability for vehicles and components manufacturers to innovate their products and even provide new types of services.”

ETRMA also backed the timeline requested by the EP.

Commenting on the motion, Fazilet Cinaralp, secretary general of ETRMA, said action on access to in-vehicle data was “indeed urgent”.

The European Parliament guidelines, she added, “set the correct path to ensure that our industry and the entire automotive value chain can foster innovation and growth and contribute to safer and greener transport.”