It can be removed, but the ETC device will not function without the card. According to the "Rules for Using the Non-stop Rapid Passage System," the ETC card must be inserted into the OBU device for normal operation; otherwise, user information cannot be read. If the card is removed, you can use the manual lane and have the staff swipe the card. When inserting the ETC card into the OBU device, there will be a prompt sound, indicating that the device is activated. Without the card, the device remains in a dormant state and cannot recognize vehicle information at toll stations, so you need to reinsert the card when you want to use it. ETC is an electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road toll system. It is a specialized method for collecting tolls on roads, commonly used on highways, toll bridges or tunnels, and certain urban sections to alleviate traffic congestion. ETC Deduction Principles: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle-mounted electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, computer networking technology is used for backend settlement with banks, allowing vehicles to pass toll stations without stopping. This operates on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in queues. Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by eliminating stops at toll stations. Cost-saving: Reduces wear and tear, fuel consumption, and offers a 5% discount on toll fees. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically process vehicles 2-3 times faster, making traditional ETC more advanced and efficient. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council's "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" explicitly states the goal of "achieving interoperability of transportation cards in key city clusters by 2020 and significantly increasing the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC," with a target of "50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020." Future possibilities: Beyond improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, future efforts will promote ETC use for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, and other smart transportation developments, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC usage.
