The cost of obtaining eCall (Emergency Call) compliance certification for automotive products is not a fixed figure but a "portfolio investment" influenced by multiple factors. Based on the latest 2025 market conditions and regulatory developments, the core cost components and key influencing factors are outlined below.

Core Costs and Market Variations for eCall Compliance Certification

Total certification costs primarily consist of three parts: testing fees, certification service fees, and additional costs. Among these, product type and target market are the two most significant determinants of the total price.

1. EU Market

·Communication Modules / Aftermarket Devices: Approximately ¥14,000 – ¥33,000.

·Complete Vehicles / On-Board Systems: Approximately ¥250,000 – ¥600,000. The high cost is mainly due to mandatory physical crash testing, which alone can cost ¥200,000 – ¥500,000 per test.

2. UAE Market

The cost for complete vehicles is approximately ¥100,000 – ¥250,000. The UAE’s telecom regulator (TDRA) publishes an eCall device testing fee of 6,100 AED (approximately ¥11,000). Unlike the EU, expensive physical crash testing is generally not required, resulting in significantly lower overall costs.

3. Other Markets

Sales to Russia require GLONASS positioning support, while Saudi Arabia mandates dual audits by CITC and MOI. For complete vehicles, costs typically range from ¥150,000 – ¥300,000.

  Key Cost Components of eCall Compliance Certification

Beyond the overall estimates above, the following specific items constitute the core of certification costs:

1. Testing Fees

·Functionality and Performance Testing: Verifies that emergency calls can be established within 10 seconds after an accident and that critical data (e.g., VIN, coordinates) is transmitted accurately. For on-board communication modules, this fee usually ranges from a few thousand RMB.

·Environmental and Reliability Testing: Includes high/low temperature testing (e.g., -40°C to 85°C), vibration testing, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing. Vehicle-level EMC testing can be costly, ranging from €10,000 – €25,000.

·Network Compatibility Testing (Core of NG eCall): This is a major cost focus for next-generation certification, requiring interoperability testing with local EU carriers for 4G/5G networks, with fees potentially reaching €20,000 – €40,000.

·Crash Testing: The single most expensive item in vehicle certification, costing ¥200,000 – ¥500,000 per test, with the test vehicle typically being destroyed.

2. Certification Services and Other Costs

·Certification Issuance Fee: Charged by official bodies such as EU Notified Bodies, ranging from ¥30,000 – ¥80,000.

·Documentation and Rectification: Costs for preparing and translating technical documents, plus expenses for optimizing and rectifying issues identified during testing, typically account for 20%–30% of total testing fees.

·Prototype Costs: Usually 3–6 fully functional prototypes are required, costing approximately ¥20,000 – ¥50,000.

  Cost Implications of Next-Generation NG eCall Certification

The EU is mandating the transition from legacy 2G/3G-based eCall to 4G/5G and IMS-based NG eCall, which directly increases certification costs:

1.Higher Technical Requirements: NG eCall supports the transmission of richer dynamic data and mandates a significant improvement in dynamic positioning accuracy from approximately 150 meters (legacy eCall) to within 3 meters, increasing testing complexity.

2.Cost Increase: Due to network and testing item upgrades, the overall cost of NG eCall certification is approximately 30% higher than that of legacy eCall.

  Cost Optimization Strategies and Key Reminders for eCall Compliance Certification

When budgeting, in addition to quotes, the following strategies and risk control points are critical:

1.Cost Optimization Strategies:

·Leverage Regulatory Transition Periods: EU regulations stipulate that new vehicle model certifications must support NG eCall starting January 1, 2026, and legacy certificates will fully expire by January 1, 2027. Align your certification timeline with these deadlines to avoid redundant investments caused by standard transitions.

·Use Pre-Certified Core Modules: Prioritize using communication modules that have already obtained eCall certification during the design phase. This can significantly simplify the complete machine certification process and reduce certain testing costs.

2.Hidden Costs to Consider:

·Certificate Maintenance Fees: eCall certificates (e.g., EU certificates) are not permanently valid and typically have a 3-year validity period. During this period, enterprises may be required to pay annual fees and undergo annual random inspections.

·Design Change Costs: Any post-certification hardware or firmware changes that may affect eCall system performance (including OTA upgrades) may require re-testing or re-certification, with costs potentially reaching 30%–70% of the initial certification fee.

·Non-Compliance Risk Costs: Selling uncertified or non-compliant products in the EU can result in customs detention, substantial fines (potentially up to $150,000 per violation), and delayed market access.

If you can specify your target market for eCall compliance certification and your product form (e.g., complete vehicles for EU export or aftermarket T-Boxes), BLUEASIA at +86 13534225140 will provide professional certification consulting services.