There will be no driving ban for hundreds of thousands of cars in Sweden. Experts should ignore the fact that the so-called e-Call in cars will soon not work.
Hundreds of thousands of drivers who were threatened with driving bans due to the phasing out of the 2G network can breathe a sigh of relief.
The problem arose because the eCall system in older cars relies on the 2G network to function properly. eCall is a system that automatically sends an emergency call in the event of an accident. It has been mandatory in all new cars since 2018.
Sweden is one of the first countries in Europe to shut down its 2G network. This has raised concerns among a number of drivers because it would leave their cars both illegal and useless. At least technically speaking.
However, the Swedish Transport Agency has found a temporary solution to the problem. The authority has ordered inspectors to stop checking the eCall function. This decision will take effect on January 1, 2026.
– The reason for the decision is that there is uncertainty about how eCall can be checked correctly by inspection, a spokesperson from the Danish Transport Agency tells Vi Bilägare.
One of the problems is that an error message in the car does not necessarily mean that the eCall system is defective. It may simply mean that the system is not connected to the network at that moment.
In addition, it is difficult for the inspection halls to determine whether a car has a mandatory eCall system or whether it is just an additional function.
Although the 2G network was originally scheduled to shut down in 2025, the shutdown has been postponed to 2027. This gives the European Commission time to draft a new directive for the control of eCall and other safety systems.
"We don't know if that will happen yet, we haven't seen the final proposal. But one can imagine that they will do a better check of the electronic systems," says investigator Anders Gunneriusson at the Danish Transport Agency.
The temporary solution from the Swedish Transport Agency means that car owners with older eCall systems can continue to drive without fear of being banned from driving. At least for now. However, it is unclear what will happen when the EU Commission's new directive comes into force.
It is worth noting that the problem with eCall and the 2G network is not only relevant to Sweden.
Many other countries – including Denmark – face similar challenges as they phase out older mobile networks, so it is likely that the EU Commission's new directive will have an impact on car owners across Europe.
In the meantime, car owners with older cars equipped with eCall that relies on the 2G network can check with the car brands or a brand workshop for information on possible solutions or updates to their eCall system.
