From March 2018 every new car sold in the European Union will legally have to be equipped with eCall technology . This will consist of a 'black box ' that detects a crash and automatically calls the emergency services for help . This box is also fitted with a GPS sensor so it can send the car 's precise location to the control room . From March 2018 , every new car sold in the EU will legally have to be equipped with eCall technology . This will consist of a 'black box ' that detects a crash and automatically calls the emergency services for help . Car manufacturers , including BMW , already include the technology in their latest models ( i3 pictured ) The European Parliament 's Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee voted in favour of the draft EU rules on Tuesday . And the rules are expected to become law after a full European Parliament in April . The plans were first proposed last May , and in June 2014 the EU passed guidelines that required all members to have the technology ready to handle eCalls set up by October 2017 . At the time of the original proposals the Government said the gadget will add at least £100 to the cost of vehicles . The technology contains a mobile phone-like SIM card designed to transmit the vehicle ’ s location to emergency services in the event of a crash . It is fitted inside a 'black box ' built into the vehicle . An SOS button near the dashboard , linked to a SIM card , allows drivers to call 999 quickly . And if airbags are deployed it automatically sends a text message to emergency services with the car ’ s location - as well as its unique vehicle ID number . The technology contains a mobile phone-like SIM card designed to transmit the vehicle ’ s location to emergency services in the event of a crash . An SOS button near the dashboard allows drivers to call 112 quickly . And if airbags are deployed it automatically sends a text message to emergency services with the car ’ s location - as well as its unique vehicle ID number . But officials complained the scheme could be used by police or insurance companies to monitor motorists ’ every move . Motorists will be unable to switch it off and it will be tested in MoT checks . Emma Carr , of civil liberties group Big Brother Watch , said : ‘ Motorists will not be comfortable forcibly having a black box installed which is capable of recording and transmitting their exact location when they are driving. ’ The technology contains a mobile phone-like SIM card designed to transmit the vehicle ’ s location to emergency services . An SOS button near the dashboard allows drivers to call 112 quickly . But officials complained the scheme could be used by police or insurance companies to monitor motorists ’ every move . A separate study by the EU Data Protection Supervisor warns of the ‘ potential intrusiveness ’ of eCall given that it operates on the same basis as mobile phones and ‘ potentially enables the constant collection of the vehicle ’ s geolocation ’ . It urged ‘ stricter safeguards ’ against ‘ unlawful ’ use of personal data . Brussels insists eCall will save 2,500 lives a year by speeding up emergency services response times . Some car manufacturers , including BMW and Volvo , already include eCall devices in their latest models . But voluntary take-up has been low across the industry , which led to the new rules .
Under revised plans , cars sold from March onwards will have a ' black box ' device . Gadget contains a phone - like identification card which monitors drivers ' movements . Designed to help emergency services find vehicles in the event of crash . Government estimates the device will add at least £ 100 to the cost of cars . But officials suggested it could be used by police to monitor motorists ' moves .