Is ETC Mandatory to Install?

[McKylie]

ETC is not mandatory to install. According to Article 19 of the "Notice on Vigorously Promoting the Development and Application of ETC on Highways" issued by the State Council, vehicles without ETC installed by 2020 will not enjoy toll discounts. In the future, only one manual lane will be retained at highway toll stations, and vehicles without ETC will have to pay tolls through the manual lane. Additionally, newly installed ETC devices cannot be used on highways immediately; they need to be activated first. During free holiday periods, vehicles with ETC can still use highways, and ETC users passing through ETC lanes will not be charged. ETC Billing Principle: Highways will have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, and using computer networking technology for backend settlement with banks, vehicles can pay tolls without stopping at toll stations. This is 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: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by allowing vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping; Reduces wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing frequent starts and brakes, thereby reducing vehicle wear and fuel consumption; Improves efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase traffic efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, more advanced, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council has clearly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Integrated Transportation System" that "by 2020, intercity transportation cards should be interoperable in key city clusters, and the proportion of vehicles using ETC should 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 rates for passenger vehicles, future efforts will focus on promoting ETC for trucks and exploring deeper integration of ETC systems with smart transportation developments such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC usage.

[OPeter]

As someone who has been driving for over a decade, I understand your hesitation about ETC installation. In reality, ETC isn't legally mandatory for all vehicles, but based on my experience—especially if you frequently use highways or live in urban commuting zones—it's absolutely worth it. I remember the frustration of waiting in toll booth queues for dozens of minutes before getting ETC; afterward, passing through became nearly instant, saving time, fuel, and stress. Installation is straightforward: many banks or service centers provide the device for free—just link a bank card, with virtually zero cost. My advice? First, assess your usage frequency. If you only drive short distances once a month, there's no rush. But if you hit the highway weekly, installing one boosts efficiency and helps avoid holiday traffic jams. Long-term, with the government promoting smart transportation, ETC also accumulates spending points or discounts—the practical benefits add up. Don't overthink it—set aside some free time to get it done. You won't regret it!

[NatalieRose]

I'm a tech enthusiast, totally obsessed with smart gadgets in cars. ETC isn't a must-have, but installing it gives such a futuristic vibe! Imagine driving through toll stations with instant scans, and your phone app immediately popping up with the bill – how cool is that? Last year, I added an ETC box to my car for just a few dozen bucks, and installation took less than half an hour. Nowadays, many new energy vehicles come with built-in ETC modules, and they're also compatible with older car upgrades. The benefits go beyond convenience: it reduces manual cash handling, making driving safer and more focused. If you're into new tech, installing ETC opens up more features to explore, like some cities piloting ETC payments for parking fees or integrating with smart navigation systems. As automotive automation advances, this basic little device will become increasingly important. I highly recommend giving it a try to upgrade your life with smart tech!

[GiselleRose]

As the breadwinner of the family, I know how precious time is. While ETC installation isn't mandatory, it's incredibly practical for family trips. Before we installed ETC, our annual road trips were frustrating with long toll booth queues that tired the kids. Now, with ETC, passing through is lightning fast, making journeys much smoother. Cost-wise, it's essentially free thanks to government subsidies, and maintenance is simple—just avoid direct sunlight or water exposure. Security-wise, I've heard fraud risks are minimal, and credit card binding comes with bank protection. My recommendation: decide based on your habits—if you rarely use highways, you can wait; but for frequent family trips, it's worth it. It even helps track spending details for better budget planning. A small ETC investment brings huge convenience!