Is it mandatory to install ETC equipment?
2 Answers
ETC requires the installation of equipment. According to Article 19 of the "Notice on Vigorously Promoting the Development and Application of Highway ETC" issued by the State Council, vehicles that have not applied for or are not using ETC by 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 channels. ETC Working Principle: Through 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, computer networking technology is used to conduct background settlement processing with banks. This achieves the purpose of vehicles passing through highway or bridge toll stations without stopping to pay tolls. ETC Deduction Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, computer networking technology is used for background settlement with banks. This allows vehicles to pay tolls without stopping at highway or bridge toll stations, all based on the principle of passing first and deducting fees later. Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and eco-friendly: Green and low-carbon, vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs, reduces the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, and lowers wear and fuel consumption; Improved efficiency: The efficiency of ETC lanes can theoretically increase by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC more updated, 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 equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also explicitly set the goal of "achieving a 50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020" in the main indicators of comprehensive transportation development during the 13th Five-Year Plan. More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and the ETC passenger vehicle usage rate, the future will also promote the use of ETC for trucks and explore the deep integration of the ETC system with smart transportation development directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC applications.
As a seasoned long-distance driver, I must say the ETC system is indispensable with its installation device. That small onboard unit needs to be firmly mounted on the windshield, using radio frequency technology to automatically recognize license plates. Without it, you'd have to queue at highway toll stations, waiting for manual payment which wastes both time and fuel, while traffic congestion further increases accident risks. Having used it for years, I've enjoyed the benefits of fast passage and cost savings, with some provinces even offering discounts for ETC users. The installation process is straightforward—just visit a local service center, though DIY is possible if you ensure a secure connection. More importantly, current policies are gradually promoting ETC adoption; not installing it might mean missing free trial periods or facing additional charges. So I recommend both new and experienced drivers install it as early as possible.
