Does the installation of ETC in the car require wiring?

[OOlive]

ETC installation in the car does not require wiring. ETC is an electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road toll system. It is a road toll method specifically designed for toll roads, commonly seen on highways, bridges or tunnels with toll policies, and certain sections in city centers to alleviate urban traffic congestion. The installation steps for ETC are as follows: 1. Purchase the ETC device and check if all components are complete, then review the installation manual; 2. Determine the installation direction of the ETC device, with the solar panel facing outward; 3. Peel off the adhesive backing of the device and firmly press the solar panel against the vehicle's front windshield; 4. Install the device at the top center of the front windshield without obstructing the normal driving view. It should be adhered in one go and not removed and reattached; 5. Insert the ETC card to activate the device. Upon hearing a beep and seeing the indicator light turn on, the device is activated, and the installation is complete.

[OKing]

When I first installed the ETC on my older car, wiring was indeed necessary because the small built-in battery couldn't last. I directly connected the power cable to the cigarette lighter socket, routing the wire along the door seal—barely noticeable—and it works perfectly when plugged in while driving. However, newer devices are much more advanced now; I've heard some even come with solar charging panels. My colleague's new energy vehicle has one simply stuck on the windshield with no extra wiring needed at all. My advice is to check the product description carefully when purchasing. If it's labeled as solar-powered, you generally won't need to worry about wiring. But for older devices or cars parked long-term in underground garages, connecting a power cable might still be the safer bet.

[VanPaul]

I remember being terrified of wiring it wrong when installing my first ETC device. Turned out completely unnecessary—now 99% of devices come with built-in solar panels. Just unbox it and stick it to the windshield interior. When the green light turns on during power test, you're done—not a single wire in sight. Exceptions exist though: dark-tinted thermal glass may reduce charging efficiency, possibly requiring cigarette lighter power; heavy-duty truck equipment occasionally needs wiring. Regular passenger cars rarely face these issues—just activate via mobile Bluetooth and you're highway-ready.

[CamillaAnn]

No wiring needed at all! I've personally tested three brands of ETC devices: The first one comes with a solar panel - just one day of sunlight powers it for a whole week. The second type plugs into the cigarette lighter, with a generous 3-meter cable included. The third model even supports wireless charging! Nowadays, solar-powered models are the mainstream. Installation is just three simple steps: peel off the adhesive, stick it behind the rearview mirror, and activate via mobile app. Only older models or drivers who frequently travel at night might need wired connections, but I'd recommend upgrading to new devices - it's more convenient and prevents battery drain. Even without power, these devices can last up to six months.

[ClaraFitz]

When installing the ETC, I specifically asked the staff if wiring was necessary. They pointed to the solar panel at the bottom of the device and said that parking outdoors for two hours on a sunny day would provide enough power for ten days. Unless your windshield has a metal film that blocks sunlight, there's no need to connect to the cigarette lighter power source. My car has a regular film, and the device has been stuck behind the rearview mirror for over two years, instantly sensing at toll booths. I've seen cases where people caused short circuits and burned fuses by improperly wiring it themselves—totally unnecessary to take that risk. Modern electronic tags come with built-in batteries that can last two to three months even without sunlight.