Is ETC Solar-Powered?

[AsherLynn]

For solar-powered ETC devices, you can park your vehicle in the sun for several hours to charge the device. For ETC devices without solar charging panels, you can plug in a dedicated power cable and charge them using the cigarette lighter socket. The ETC installation process is as follows: Upon receiving the device, first check if the ETC card and the electronic tag (OBU) are damaged. Press the anti-tamper button on the back of the OBU, and the red light will briefly illuminate. The OLED screen will display messages such as 'Tag Invalid' or 'Please Insert Card,' indicating that the device is functioning properly. Clean the front windshield, ensuring the glass surface is smooth, clean, and dry. Then, peel off the adhesive backing of the OBU and attach it to the installation location. Press firmly for 2-3 minutes to remove any air bubbles. Insert the ETC card with the front facing the driver and the back facing the windshield, ensuring the chip is inserted into the OBU device. Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and eco-friendly: Promotes low-carbon travel by allowing vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions, and minimizing pollution; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by decreasing the frequency of vehicle starts and stops, reducing wear and fuel consumption. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase vehicle throughput by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC systems more updated, faster, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous.

[ArielDella]

Hey, I finally figured out ETC after messing with it! The thing has a small solar panel on top, like my CCB ETC which charges itself—basically no maintenance needed. But don’t think solar alone can keep it running forever. Take me, for example—I park in underground garages, and if I don’t drive for half a year, the device goes silent. You’ll need to plug it into the car’s charging port with a cable to wake it up. The craziest part? The built-in lithium battery is insanely durable—the manufacturer claims it lasts five years, and a single day of direct sunlight can power it for six months without electricity. So the solar panel is more of a bonus. My neighbor, who parks his car like a solar cooker under the blazing sun, has had his ETC running strong for three years.

[DelJuniper]

Actual ETC devices adopt a hybrid power supply mode. The black surface area is a photovoltaic power generation layer, which works in conjunction with a supercapacitor energy storage module to meet the high-frequency power consumption demands of millisecond-level passage at toll stations. Crucially, the device has a built-in button battery to maintain chip clock data, with a lifespan of approximately 5-7 years. Recent tests show that it can function normally after two weeks of continuous driving in rainy weather, but parking in a garage for over three months may trigger low-power hibernation. It is recommended that car owners check the device's indicator light status every six months. When the green power light dims, timely exposure to light can help extend the overall lifespan.

[DeJuniper]

A veteran who has used three ETC devices tells you the truth: The black square on top is indeed a solar panel. But don't rely on it too much! I park outdoors every day, and the device showed a low battery warning after two years. Upon opening it, I found the core is a CR2032 lithium battery, similar to a computer motherboard battery, which can be replaced for just five yuan online. The solar panel functions more like an auxiliary power bank, mainly helping to maintain the battery's lifespan. So, remember to keep a spare battery handy after three years of use—that's the reliable approach.