EU Data Act 2025: What Car Rental Companies Must Do to Comply

Under the EU Data Act (Regulation (EU) 2023/2854), users of connected products, including rented cars, have the legal right to access, download and share data generated during their use of the vehicle.

What Is the EU Data Act?

The EU Data Act is a European regulation designed to give users greater control over data generated by connected devices, including connected cars.

Since September 2025, renters have the right to:

• Access data generated during their rental

• Download it in a commonly used, machine-readable format

• Share it with third parties (such as insurers or legal representatives)

This applies to data generated by telematics systems installed in rental vehicles.

What Vehicle Data Must Rental Companies Provide?

Under the EU Data Act, renters may request access to:

✔ Diagnostic Data
Engine performance, system alerts, technical errors.

✔ Usage Data
Speed, mileage, braking patterns, driving behaviour.

✔ Location Data
GPS journey history, timestamps and route information.

✔ Idle-Time Data
Data generated even when the vehicle is stationary but connected.

Importantly, this data must be structured and exportable – not manually compiled.

How Does the EU Data Act Affect Car Rental Companies?

If you operate connected vehicles in the EU, you must ensure:

1. Data Access Rights Are Enabled
Renters must be able to request and receive their vehicle data.

2. Data Is Provided in Machine-Readable Format
Formats must allow portability and reuse.

3. GDPR Compliance Is Maintained
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) still applies to any personal data processed.

Rental companies must:

• Protect previous drivers’ data

• Ensure lawful processing

• Maintain consent records

• Provide transparent data policies

4. ePrivacy Rules Are Respected
The ePrivacy Directive restricts storing or accessing data on a vehicle’s onboard systems without appropriate consent, except where legally permitted.

5. Clear Data Retention Policies Are Defined
Operators must establish and communicate how long connected vehicle data is stored.

What Are the Risks of Non-Compliance?

Failure to prepare may result in:

• Regulatory scrutiny

• GDPR-related fines

• Reputational damage

• Increased customer disputes

• Operational disruption due to manual data extraction

As connected vehicle usage grows, data access requests are expected to increase.

Can Renters Share Their Telematics Data With Third Parties?

Yes.

Under the EU Data Act, users may share vehicle-generated data with third parties such as:

• Insurance companies

• Legal advisers

• Accident investigators

• Repair workshops

This increases the importance of accuracy, auditability and secure data handling.

Are There National Differences Within the EU?

Yes.

Some countries, including Spain, may impose additional obligations, such as sharing specific vehicle data with law enforcement authorities.

These national laws are currently being reviewed for compatibility with EU privacy legislation.

Rental operators working across multiple EU jurisdictions must monitor both EU-level regulation and local legal developments.

The Operational Challenge for Rental Fleet Operators

Many rental companies today:

• Store telematics data across separate platforms

• Lack automated export functionality

• Depend on manual reporting

• Have unclear retention frameworks

System integration and process design require time. Without integrated telematics infrastructure, responding to access requests could become:

• Time-intensive

• Inconsistent

• Legally risky

How RentalMatics Helps Car Rental Companies Achieve Compliance with the EU Data Act

RentalMatics provides telematics technology designed specifically for the global vehicle rental industry.

Our platform enables:

• Structured, machine-readable vehicle data exports

• Secure data access controls

• Clear audit trails

• Automated reporting

• Seamless integration with rental management systems

• Scalable solutions for fleets of any size

As regulatory expectations evolve, telematics infrastructure must evolve with them.

Rental operators who prepare early will turn compliance into a competitive advantage, strengthening customer trust and operational efficiency.