How are 8-seater vehicles charged on highways?
3 Answers
The Ministry of Transport issued the newly revised 'Toll Road Vehicle Toll Classification' (effective from January 1, 2020). According to the new policy, 8-seater vehicles on highways are charged as Class 1 vehicles, with a toll price conversion coefficient of 1. The following are the revisions to the 'Toll Road Vehicle Toll Classification': 1. A new category of 'special operation vehicles' has been added. All toll vehicles are specifically classified into three major categories: passenger vehicles, trucks, and special operation vehicles. 2. The classification boundary between Class 1 and Class 2 passenger vehicles has been revised from 7 to 9 seats. Passenger vehicles with 9 seats or fewer will also be charged as Class 1 vehicles, reducing highway tolls by half. 3. The classification boundary between Class 1 and Class 2 trucks has been changed to vehicles with a length of less than 6 meters and a maximum allowable total mass of 4.5 tons. This means some trucks will be downgraded from Class 2 to Class 1, resulting in lower highway tolls. 4. All types of trucks will be classified based on the total number of axles, vehicle length, and maximum allowable total mass.
Now 8-seater vehicles are all charged as Class I passenger vehicles on highways, which is a benefit from the major policy change in 2020. I remember 8-seaters used to be classified as Class II passenger vehicles, with much higher toll fees. After the reform, my MPV finally enjoys the same treatment as sedans, costing only about 0.4 yuan per kilometer on the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway. However, there are still slight differences between provinces, such as sections with many tunnels in Yunnan costing 0.6 yuan per kilometer. If you have an ETC, you can save 5% to 10%. Last time I drove from Guangzhou to Changsha, a 400-kilometer trip, the ETC bill was only 160 yuan. A reminder: during holiday free passage periods, 8-seaters also enjoy free treatment, but make sure they meet the standard of being under 9 seats.
My family drives an 8-seater Buick GL8, and the highway toll is calculated by multiplying the per-kilometer rate by the distance traveled. Currently, there is a nationwide standard where the tolls for 8-seater and 7-seater SUVs are exactly the same. Last month, I drove from Chengdu to Xi'an, a distance of 700 kilometers, and the toll was exactly 250 yuan. However, the specific per-kilometer rate varies by province. For example, mountainous highways in Chongqing charge 0.5 yuan per kilometer, while flat areas in Jiangsu only charge 0.4 yuan. I recommend using Gaode Maps to check the route costs in advance, as it provides precise estimates for specific sections. Additionally, ETC is really cost-effective—since I got it, I save about 70-80 yuan in tolls every month. Now, even 8-seater vehicles can apply for ETC with a fuel card, and the direct payment deduction is super convenient.
