Next Generation eCall in cars and light commercial vehicles
Published 29 July 2026
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The government has recently updated new vehicle requirements to include Next Generation (NG) eCall, which is being fitted in most new cars and light commercial vehicles.
What is eCall?
eCall is an essential technology that improves road safety by enabling efficient responses to collisions. The system is designed to automatically summon assistance in the event of a serious collision by notifying the emergency services.
Before 31 March 2027, NG eCall may not operate and should not be relied upon in an emergency. Emergency services should be contacted by a mobile phone or a roadside SOS phone.
Eligible eCall vehicles
NG eCall is only available in vehicles registered on and after 1 September 2025, which is from the ‘75’ registration plate.
If your vehicle was registered before 1 September 2025 and has a ‘25’ plate or earlier, no action is required.
How do I get NG eCall?
Your vehicle retailer can advise whether your vehicle is fitted with NG eCall.
Why NG eCall has been introduced
NG eCall has been introduced to ensure a consistent approach across Europe. The UK telecoms infrastructure needs to be upgraded to enable compatibility with NG eCall. These changes are expected to be completed by 31 March 2027.
The UK’s 2G telecoms networks, which support the previous version of eCall, will be switched off in 2029 and 2030. NG eCall is designed to operate beyond this period on the 4G and 5G networks and will, therefore, have the benefit of working for the majority of the vehicle’s lifespan.
This page will be updated once the infrastructure has been upgraded.