Is it mandatory to apply for an ETC card?
4 Answers
It is not mandatory, but car owners are encouraged to apply. According to the regulations of the State Council, vehicles without ETC in 2020 will not enjoy toll discounts. In the future, only one manual lane will be retained at highway toll stations, and tolls can only be paid through manual lanes. Additionally, newly installed ETC devices cannot be used on highways immediately; they must be activated first. During free holiday periods, highways can still be used. For users who have already installed ETC, passing through ETC lanes will not incur charges. The principle of ETC toll deduction: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, and using computer networking technology for backend settlement with banks, the system achieves the purpose of vehicles paying tolls without stopping at road and bridge toll stations. All of this is based on the principle of passing first and deducting fees later. Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in queues; Green and eco-friendly: Low-carbon, as vehicles 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 brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption; Improved efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can increase vehicle passing 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 clearly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, intercity transportation cards will be basically interoperable in key city clusters, and the proportion of vehicles using ETC will significantly increase." It also set a clear target in the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators: "By 2020, the ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles will reach 50%." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and increasing the ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC usage for trucks in the future. There will also be exploration of deeper integration between ETC systems and smart transportation development directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-road coordination, providing car owners with comprehensive travel services. This means more application scenarios will support ETC applications.
After driving for so many years and frequently commuting on highways, I think the ETC card, although not an absolute necessity, is incredibly convenient for someone like me who uses it often. Every time I pass through a toll station, the ETC lane is always smooth and fast, saving me from waiting in line and reducing the stress of traffic congestion. Plus, some places offer discounts for ETC users, which can add up to savings on fuel costs over time—pretty cost-effective. However, if you drive less, like only going out for weekend joyrides, getting the card might seem unnecessary, especially since the application process requires linking a bank card and regular check-ups. Ultimately, it depends on your travel frequency—it’s a free choice whether to get one or not, but considering the convenience is always a good idea.
After focusing on green travel, I realized ETC is not just a payment tool but also helps reduce environmental pollution. Long queues at highway toll stations often lead to idling vehicles emitting large amounts of exhaust. Using ETC for fast passage can cut this portion of carbon emissions and promote more eco-friendly transportation. Although the government doesn't mandate everyone to get one, widespread adoption would benefit the overall climate. I've also noticed that in some smart city projects, ETC is integrated into vehicle networking systems, making daily commutes smoother. Of course, new drivers or occasional highway users might not see much necessity, but considering the long-term environmental benefits, voluntary participation is quite meaningful.
When I first bought a new car, I also struggled with whether the ETC card was worth applying for, considering the cost involved. The application fee for a card is several dozen yuan, plus you may need to prepay some toll fees. However, if you drive frequently, you can enjoy discounts, saving one or two yuan per trip, which adds up over time. On the other hand, if you rarely use the highway, like me last year when I only used it occasionally for travel, getting the card would just add unnecessary burden, and it's more convenient to use the regular lanes. I did the math: if you drive on the highway more than three times a month, ETC turns out to be more economical; if it's just once or twice occasionally, it's not worth the hassle. Whether to apply for it depends on personal habits—don't blindly follow the trend.
