Is it mandatory to install ETC?
3 Answers
It is not mandatory to install ETC. Vehicles without ETC can still use highways. According to the State Council's regulations, starting from 2020, vehicles without ETC 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 need to 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. ETC Billing Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through microwave dedicated short-range communication between the onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, and using computer networking technology for backend settlement with banks, the purpose of paying highway tolls without stopping at toll stations is achieved. All 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 environmentally friendly: Green and low-carbon, vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions, thereby decreasing pollution; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs, reduces the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowers wear and fuel consumption, and users can also enjoy a 5% discount on tolls; Improved efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can improve vehicle passing efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC updates faster 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, the interoperability of transportation smart cards in key city clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles using ETC will be significantly increased." It also explicitly set the goal in the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators that "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 the ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles, the future will also promote the use of ETC for trucks and explore the deep integration of the ETC system 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 applications.
I must say, installing an ETC is not mandatory, but it's definitely worth considering. If you're a daily commuter like me, ETC offers great convenience. It allows you to pass through highway toll stations quickly, avoiding long queues and saving valuable time. I often drive to work, and with ETC, my journey has become much smoother. Some places even offer discounts for ETC users, such as toll fee reductions, which can save you a lot of money in the long run. The installation process is simple—just get the device set up at a service point. If you only use city roads or rarely take the highway, it's fine not to install one. I recommend at least learning about the benefits, as this thing can have a big impact on daily life.
When considering installing an ETC, I need to carefully calculate the cost. There's an initial expense for the device and annual fees, but in the long run, it saves a lot on tolls. With ETC, I enjoy discounts on highway tolls, saving a few bucks on average per trip. The return on investment is high. If you don't use highways often or are on a tight budget, you can skip it and use cash or mobile payments instead. However, for frequent travelers, ETC makes trips more cost-effective and hassle-free. I recommend comparing your own needs: calculate your annual trips and potential savings. Installation is also convenient and doesn't require professional tools.
