Manifesto European Automotive and Telecoms Alliance

The European Automotive and Telecoms Alliance (EATA) was created in 2016 following an initiative by Commissioner Günther Oettinger. It has become a unique forum for cooperation between Europe’s automotive and telecoms sectors: the main aim is to jointly explore how to best accelerate the deployment of connected and automated mobility (CAM) in Europe.

It is crucial that the new EU institutions continue focusing on creating the right enabling conditions across the EU to accelerate the deployment of new mobility solutions, leveraging both connectivity and automation. The goal remains to make Europe’s roads and vehicles safer and smarter by using state of-the-art technology. At the same time this supports the competitiveness of both the automotive and non-automotive companies, which have become active players in this new mobility ecosystem.

This Manifesto aims to give you our view on what policy actions require urgent attention. This is of utmost importance as, in the next five years, we will move from testing and pre-deployment of connected and automated vehicles to the actual introduction of these vehicles in Europe’s transport systems.

EATA core policy subjects are:

1.    Enabling a clear framework to foster investment and innovation.  Europe needs a holistic approach to CAM. One that promotes investment and innovation, while taking into account the complexity of the legal frameworks currently governing the automotive and telecommunications sectors.

2.    Avoiding fragmentation by ensuring coordination of policy initiatives. The European Commission and European Parliament must ensure the coordination of policymaking between different areas relevant to CAM. Our sectors stand ready to support the Commission and Parliament in this work.

3.    Technology neutrality is critical for the development of CAM.

Avoid favouring one technology over another based on political priorities. Instead adopt a technology-neutral approach in which market-forces drive innovation and deployment.

4.    Accelerating cooperation and leverage on the international stage.

Europe should further leverage its CAM leadership at the international level. European policies and regulations need to build on and shape international developments, while reflecting the global reach of the European industry.

One of the milestones of EATA has been the joint application to the CONCORDA (Connected Corridor for Driving Automation) project. The project, co-funded by the Connecting Europe Facility, will prepare European motorways for automated driving and high-density truck platooning with adequate connected services and technologies.