Is ETC Mandatory to Install This Year?

[Kai]

It is not mandatory to install ETC, but vehicle owners are encouraged to do so. According to the State Council's regulations, vehicles without ETC will not enjoy toll discounts starting from 2020. In the future, only one manual lane will remain at highway toll stations, and vehicles without ETC will have to pay tolls through manual lanes. Additionally, newly installed ETC devices cannot be used immediately on highways; they need to be activated first. During free holiday periods, vehicles with ETC can still use highways, and no fees will be deducted when passing through ETC lanes. ETC Billing Principle: Highways will have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's on-board electronic tag (installed on the windshield) and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, the computer network technology is used to settle payments with the bank in the background. This allows vehicles to pay tolls without stopping at the toll station, all 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: Promotes low-carbon travel by reducing noise and exhaust emissions since vehicles do not need to stop at toll stations; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing frequent starts and stops, thereby reducing vehicle wear and fuel consumption; Improved efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can process vehicles 2-3 times faster, making traditional ETC more advanced, faster, and high-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, key city clusters will achieve interoperability of transportation smart cards, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also set a 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 usage for trucks in the future. There will also be exploration into deeper integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-road coordination, and other smart transportation development directions, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC usage.

[DiHarper]

Recently, while handling some traffic inquiries, I learned about ETC installation issues. In fact, there is no mandatory requirement for all vehicles to install ETC in 2023; it remains a voluntary choice, with the government mainly encouraging adoption through preferential policies. If you frequently use highways, installing ETC offers significant benefits: it allows you to use dedicated ETC lanes, avoiding queues at manual toll booths, and saves an average of 5-10 minutes per pass. Even more appealing are the toll discounts, typically 5% off, which can add up to substantial savings over time. The installation process is quick and easy—most banks or online platforms provide the device for free, requiring only your vehicle license and ID card for application. However, if you choose not to install it, that’s fine too—manual lanes remain available, though they may get congested during peak hours. In discussion groups, some express concerns about device malfunctions, like tag failures, but such cases are rare and after-sales service can resolve them quickly. Overall, installation is a smart choice for driving convenience, especially for long-distance travelers.

[BriellaDella]

I got my ETC installed last year when there was a rush of people applying. This year, the atmosphere is more relaxed, but the advantages remain. Friends often ask me if it's mandatory. Honestly, there's no legal requirement, but since installing it, my car has become super convenient. The manual toll payment queues used to be exhausting, but now I zip through the toll gates—especially noticeable during peak holiday traffic. The discounts are substantial too—a 5% saving on each transaction adds up, reducing my monthly highway expenses by dozens of yuan. Free installation points are everywhere; I went to China Construction Bank and got it done in minutes—just plug in the card and it's ready to use. One thing to note is that the device might occasionally malfunction. Once, my tag failed, but customer service replaced it for free. If you don’t install it, you’ll just miss out on these benefits—manual lanes still work—but if you frequently use highways, skipping it is practically asking for trouble. This year, I strongly recommended all my relatives to get theirs installed.

[MacRyan]

ETC is super convenient! After installing it this year, my efficiency skyrocketed instantly. No more queuing on highways—saving time and money with discounts. Installation isn't mandatory, depending on personal preference, but the convenience after setup is unbeatable. The device is free—just book an appointment at a bank or via an app, plug it in, and you're good to go. Year-round discounts save a lot compared to cash payments, making it way more modern. Just remember to guard against card theft and avoid misoperation jams. Not having it doesn't affect daily life, but once installed, especially for long trips, it's a game-changer for speed and ease.