Is ETC Solar-Powered?
2 Answers
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 panels, you can use a dedicated power cable and charge via the cigarette lighter socket. The ETC installation process is as follows: Upon receiving the device, first check if the ETC card and electronic tag (OBU) are damaged. Press the anti-tamper button on the back of the OBU—the red light will briefly turn on, and the OLED screen will display 'Tag Invalid' or 'Please Insert Card,' indicating the device is functioning normally. Clean the front windshield to ensure the surface is smooth, clean, and dry. Then, peel off the adhesive backing of the OBU and attach it to the installation position. Press firmly for 2-3 minutes to remove any air bubbles. Insert the ETC card with the front side facing the driver and the back side facing the windshield, ensuring the chip is properly 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. Reduces wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing frequent starts and stops, lowering vehicle wear and fuel consumption. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees. Improves efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase traffic flow by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC systems faster, more advanced, and more efficient. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous.
Yes, the vast majority of ETC devices nowadays are indeed solar-powered. They are installed at the top of the windshield with a small solar panel that automatically collects sunlight to charge the built-in battery. Just by driving daily, the battery stays sufficiently charged. I've used several cars over the years and never had to charge it manually. However, it's important to note that if the car is parked in a garage or a shady place for an extended period, the solar charging won't work, and the battery will gradually drain, potentially causing the ETC to stop working suddenly. In such cases, simply driving the car into sunlight for an hour or two will restore it. This design is quite clever—it saves users the hassle of replacing batteries, is low-cost and eco-friendly, making it one of the most practical small car accessories. I also recommend parking in sunny spots whenever possible to ensure the ETC is always ready, avoiding any hiccups at toll booths.
