Is it necessary to apply for an ETC card?

[Elaine]

It is necessary to apply for an ETC card. According to the regulations of the State Council, vehicles without ETC in 2020 will not enjoy toll discounts, and in the future, only one manual lane will be retained at highway toll stations, requiring manual payment of tolls. Additionally, newly installed ETC devices cannot be used on highways immediately; they need to be activated before normal use. During free holiday periods, ETC users can still use highways, and passing through ETC lanes will not incur charges. ETC Billing Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through microwave-specific short-range communication between the vehicle-mounted electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, computer networking technology is used for backend settlement with banks, achieving the purpose of paying tolls without stopping at the toll station. 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 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, lowering wear and fuel consumption; Improved efficiency: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased 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 cards in key city clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will be significantly increased." 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, efforts will be made to 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, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC applications.

[MartinMarie]

I think the ETC card is really practical, especially for commuters like me who frequently drive on highways. After installation, you don't need to queue at toll stations—just a quick scan and you're through, saving a lot of time. The benefits are even more noticeable during peak hours, avoiding waits of over half an hour. In terms of cost, many banks now offer free ETC devices and often have top-up promotions, such as 'recharge 500 get 50' or discounts on toll fees. Long-term use not only saves time but also reduces fuel consumption by minimizing idling, which is also somewhat beneficial for the environment. However, if you rarely use highways, it might not be necessary, as occasional manual toll payment isn't a big issue. Overall, for regular users, getting one is definitely worth it—it's quite convenient.

[LeClayton]

From a cost-saving perspective, ETC cards are quite economical. The toll fees usually come with a 5% discount, and you can save hundreds of yuan a year after a few trips. More importantly, it saves fuel: when paying manually, the car has to idle and burn fuel, while ETC allows direct passage, eliminating this cost. Installation is usually free or comes with a small annual fee, and you can link it to Alipay or a bank card for automatic payment, avoiding the hassle of carrying cash. The only downside is managing the account when it's idle, but this minor inconvenience is negligible compared to the savings. Personally, I think it's worth it for budget-conscious users, especially those who enjoy road trips or frequently drive long distances.

[BennettLee]

From a technical perspective, ETC is highly innovative, utilizing wireless payment to make transportation smarter. After installation, vehicles can pass through toll stations with seamless detection, improving efficiency and reducing congestion. In the future, projects like smart cities will expand ETC to automatic parking fee collection. Getting it isn't just for convenience but also to keep up with technological trends, as it's more eco-friendly and less polluting than traditional methods. The process is simple—just bind it via a mobile app in minutes. Although privacy concerns exist, the risks in daily use are minimal. Overall, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, making it a future trend worth trying.

[SanJosephine]

In terms of safety, ETC has advantages. You don't need to be distracted by taking out money or opening the window to get a card when passing through the station, reducing driving risks, especially in bad weather. When installing, just pay attention to fixing the device without obstructing the view to avoid accidents. Long-term use can develop habits that make driving more focused. If you only occasionally use highways, it may not be necessary, but from a safety perspective, it's still worth applying, especially for beginners.