ETRMA joins aftermarket coalition to call for access to in-vehicle data

The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association has joined a broad industry coalition of independent aftermarket service providers, drivers, insurers to call on the EU to ensure a genuine digital level playing field for remote access to in-vehicle data.

The Coalition urges the European Commission to set a “robust regulatory framework for an interoperable, standardised, secure and safe on-board application platform” ahead of the EC’s Strategy on Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility, expected for 16 May. The coalition says this communication needs to set the pace for a legislative initiative it adds is urgently needed and too long awaited.

The coalition also underlines that until such platform is in place, there is the need to guarantee a non-discriminatory access to the existing in-vehicle telematics systems used by vehicle manufacturers or their selected third parties.

“For the tyre industry having real-time access to in-vehicle data is first and foremost a question of safety. The more automated the vehicle, the more remote, seamless and deep diagnosis will be needed in a prognostic-oriented operation to guarantee safe operation of the vehicle under critical circumstances. This is why we believe that the proposed platform would be an essential safety feature of the vehicle in motion,” said Fazilet Cinaralp, secretary general of ETRMA. “The clock is ticking and connected mobility is no longer a dream of the future: we need a legislative action from the Commission and fast!”

Coalition aims supported by European Parliament

The wishes of the Coalition were also supported earlier this year by a similar call from the European Parliament, which urged the Commission to publish a legislative proposal on access to in-vehicle data and resources. According to the ETRMA, European Parliament is currently the Institution that is discussing access to data most proactively.

This included a debate on cyber security for connected and automated vehicles in the Transport Committee of the European Parliament. On this occasion, Professor Massey, from the University of Colorado, reinforced the findings of the 2017 TRL study and stated that open design has long been recognised as a key asset of cyber security, dispelling the fears that an open platform, like the one demanded by the new coalition, could open the door to cyberattacks.

The coalition has produced a manifesto detailing its contentions, while the ETRMA also published its own position paper.