Under recent EU regulations, Event Data Recorders (EDRs) will become mandatory for heavy-duty vehicles under the General Safety Regulation (GSR2):

• From 7 January 2026, new trucks (vehicle categories M2/M3 for buses and N2/N3 for trucks and tractor units) must already be equipped with an Event Data Recorder as part of their type approval in order to be allowed onto the EU market at all.

• From 7 January 2029, this obligation will apply to all newly produced vehicles in these categories — including models that have already been approved previously.

The technical requirements for EDRs in heavy-duty vehicles are laid down in UN ECE Regulation R169 and are part of EU legislation, such as EU Regulation 2024/2220 (implemented under GSR2).

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Key elements:

Location data or driver-identifying data are excluded from mandatory recording in order to comply with privacy regulations, and cannot be legally required.

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In addition to EDRs, other safety features will also become mandatory for heavy-duty vehicles, such as:

advanced emergency braking systems (AEB)

blind-spot and detection systems

intelligent speed assistance

All of these measures fall under the same GSR2 framework.

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United States – EDR Rule Expansion Under Review

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been working on expanding EDR requirements for heavier vehicles, including buses and trucks:

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Proposed Changes

• NHTSA’s 2024 final rule expands what EDRs must record — increasing pre-crash capture from 5 seconds at 2 Hz to 20 seconds at 10 Hz.

• Following industry petitions, the agency is proposing to delay the implementation date from September 1, 2027, to September 1, 2028, with a phased-in compliance through 2030 and beyond.

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Industry Implications

• Truck and bus OEMs and suppliers are questioning the pace and scope of the expanded EDR requirements. A phased rollout is being considered to give manufacturers time to adapt.

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Other Global Trends

• India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed mandating location tracking and EDRs for haulage tractors (heavy goods vehicles) starting in April 2027 to improve safety and operational monitoring.

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Market Growth

• The global Event Data Recorder market (hardware and software) is forecast to grow significantly, nearly doubling in value between 2025 and 2035, driven by regulatory mandates and data demand.