Can ETC be removed after installation?
2 Answers
ETC can be removed after installation. However, if the ETC device is removed by the user, it will become invalid because the ETC device has an anti-tamper feature. There is a small switch on the back of the ETC electronic tag, which will automatically turn off once the device is detached from the windshield. Therefore, the vehicle owner must bring the vehicle registration certificate to the ETC service provider for reactivation. ETC Billing Principle: There are one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle-mounted electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, the system uses computer networking technology to settle accounts with the bank in the background. This allows vehicles to pay tolls without stopping at the toll booth, all based on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and eco-friendly: Low-carbon, as vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by decreasing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption; Improved efficiency: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased by 2-3 times or more, making traditional ETC more advanced, faster, and higher-tech. 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" that "by 2020, the interoperability of transportation cards in key city clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also set a target in the "13th Five-Year Plan" for comprehensive transportation development: "By 2020, the ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles should reach 50%." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and increasing the ETC adoption rate for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC usage for trucks in the future. There will also be exploration into deeper integration of the ETC system with smart transportation directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-road coordination, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC usage.
I've driven quite a few cars and often deal with ETC matters. It's completely fine to remove it, but you need to pay attention to some techniques. For example, first use a hairdryer to blow hot air on the adhesive at the back of the device to soften it, then slowly scrape it off with a fishing line or credit card. Don't pull too hard to avoid damaging the glass. After removal, there might be residual adhesive, which can be cleaned with alcohol or essential balm. However, I must remind you that there's an anti-tamper switch inside the ETC device. Once removed, it might get locked and you'll need to go to an ETC service point for reactivation, which is free but quite annoying. I've removed it twice myself—once when changing to a new car and another time when it blocked my view during car washing. Overall, don't be afraid to remove it, but check tutorials before doing it and prioritize safety.
