Does ETC Need to Be Installed?

[DeJude]

Yes, installation is required. Having an ETC without installing it is useless. According to the State Council's regulations, vehicles that have not applied for or are not using ETC by 2020 will not enjoy toll discounts. In the future, only one manual lane will remain at highway toll stations, and tolls can only be paid through manual channels. How ETC Works: Through the onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield, dedicated short-range communication is established with the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station. Computer networking technology is then used for backend settlement processing with the bank, allowing vehicles to pass through highway or bridge toll stations without stopping while still paying the tolls. ETC Deduction Principle: For ETC vehicles, the toll amount is rounded down (i.e., amounts less than 0.5 yuan are discarded, while amounts equal to or greater than 0.5 yuan remain unchanged) before applying a 5% discount. The final amount is then rounded to the nearest cent. MTC vehicles still follow the "round to the nearest yuan" rule. All of this is based 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: Low-carbon solution—vehicles pass toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and 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: ETC lanes theoretically increase throughput efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, more advanced, 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, intercity transportation smart cards will be widely interoperable in key urban clusters, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also set a clear target in the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators: "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 rates for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC adoption for trucks. Future developments will explore deeper integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, and other smart transportation directions, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC usage.

[SanAdriana]

I think the ETC device really needs to be installed in the car to be useful, otherwise you have to stop and pay cash every time you pass a toll booth, which is especially time-consuming. Last time I installed an ETC tag myself, I chose the free version from the bank, which is a small box stuck on the front windshield. The process was very simple, just follow the instructions to attach it. After installation, the benefits are significant, such as automatic fee deduction without queuing, smooth entry and exit on highways, especially during peak travel periods like long holidays, saving a lot of hassle. Nowadays, many regions are promoting ETC, and some even offer discounts on certain routes. However, be careful not to block the camera position, otherwise it may not be recognized. Regularly check if the tag is loose, and if it falls off, you can contact the service provider to reactivate it. Overall, installing ETC is a wise investment.

[MacLola]

From a technical perspective, the ETC device must be installed to function properly, as it relies on built-in radio frequency signals to communicate with toll points. I recommend purchasing the OBU device, which is compact and easy to install—usually adhered to the windshield, ensuring the tag is within the line of sight and not too close to metal frames to avoid signal interference. When installing, pay attention to dust removal; you can do it yourself by aligning and sticking it in just a few minutes. Related topic: Without ETC, you can only use cash lanes, which not only consumes more fuel but may also cause traffic congestion. The ETC system also includes a backup battery, allowing it to operate briefly even if the car is turned off. Regular checks on the tag's position and maintenance can extend its lifespan. Overall, this device is designed with user-friendliness in mind, making driving more efficient after installation.

[StJuliana]

From my years of driving experience, installing an ETC is absolutely necessary. Otherwise, stopping to pay tolls on highways is extremely troublesome. I've seen many people fumbling without it, but with ETC, passing through toll stations becomes much more convenient. Just stick the tag in a corner of the front windshield, and it works effortlessly. Nowadays, ETC is universally accepted nationwide, and some toll stations even prioritize ETC lanes. Without it, you can still use cash, but it's much less efficient. After installation, remember to test its sensitivity regularly, like checking if the green light turns on when entering a toll point. Don't worry about complexity—most car owners have managed it just fine.

[McLena]

As a new car owner, I initially hesitated about whether to install ETC, worrying about damaging the car. But in fact, the installation is quite simple. The small device just needs to be stuck on the windshield without harming the surface, and following the manual steps ensures no mistakes. It's recommended to choose a package with installation service to save trouble. Related topics include: without ETC, toll stations may have long queues, leading to more fuel waste. After installation, also pay attention to the position not being too high to block the view. If the tag has any issues, the manufacturer usually replaces it for free. In the long run, installing it early makes travel more convenient and safer.