Are there discounts for ETC toll fees?

[RowanLynn]

There are discounts for using ETC toll fees, and banks handling related applications offer greater incentives to encourage ETC adoption. Starting from 2020, vehicles without ETC or not using ETC cannot enjoy toll discounts. In the future, highway toll stations will retain only one manual lane, requiring payment through manual channels, with lower efficiency compared to ETC lanes. ETC charging principle: Highways will have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, combined with computer networking technology for backend bank settlements, vehicles can pay tolls without stopping at toll stations. This is based on the principle of passing first and deducting fees later. Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of queuing and waiting. Green and eco-friendly: Promotes low-carbon travel by reducing noise and exhaust emissions as vehicles pass toll stations without stopping. Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing vehicle acceleration and braking frequency, lowering wear and fuel consumption. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase vehicle throughput by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster and more advanced. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council explicitly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" the goal of "achieving interoperability of transportation cards in key city clusters by 2020 and significantly increasing the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC." It also set the target of "50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020" in the main indicators of comprehensive transportation development during the 13th Five-Year Plan. More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, future efforts will promote ETC adoption for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-road coordination, and other smart transportation directions, providing comprehensive travel services for car owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC. ETC usage precautions: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. To avoid paying for the vehicle ahead due to its ETC device malfunction or absence, maintain a distance of over 10 meters from the preceding vehicle. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20 km/h. Excessive speed may prevent reading vehicle device information, leading to failed deductions. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or detachment/loosening of the ETC electronic tag, will render the tag invalid. It can be inspected at the bank where the ETC card was issued or at highway service centers. Non-deliberate detachment or loosening only requires reactivation. Insufficient balance in debit cards linked to ETC may cause deduction failures. Follow on-site staff guidance to use manual MTC lanes with cash or card payments. Thick windshields may cause poor signal reception, especially for vehicles with replaced or modified windshields after accidents.

[McVanessa]

I've been driving for almost twenty years and have extensive experience with ETC. I can confidently say that ETC tolls usually come with discounts, typically ranging from 5% to 10%, depending on the region and route. Installing an ETC device is simple—just apply at a bank or through Alipay, and the device is provided for free. It saves not only money but also time, as you won’t waste time waiting in long queues at toll stations. For those who frequently drive on highways, saving a few hundred yuan a year is not uncommon. I remember when I first started using ETC in my younger days, I thought it was just a convenience tool, but the actual discounts turned out to be quite substantial. Policies sometimes adjust—for example, some provinces offer additional discounts for local license plates—so it’s advisable to keep an eye on official announcements. Of course, make sure to maintain the device properly and avoid obstructing the tag. Overall, it’s a win-win solution for saving money and being eco-friendly while reducing congestion.

[LeLola]

I've been driving an SUV for daily commuting for years, focusing on saving costs. Using ETC for tolls indeed offers discounts, saving around 5% compared to regular fees. This is no small benefit—it adds up significantly for average families over time. For someone like me who commutes daily via highways, saving a hundred yuan per month is effortless. Installation is a breeze—just a few taps on a WeChat mini-program, and you're set. Don’t miss out on bank promotions offering free devices. Beyond savings, ETC eliminates queuing hassles, especially during peak hours, ensuring smooth passage. Some worry about payment security, but I've never encountered issues. During holidays, discounts may increase, like extra savings during National Day. In short, smart usage boosts both travel efficiency and financial planning.