Is it necessary to apply for ETC if I don't often drive on highways?
2 Answers
It is necessary to apply for and install ETC. 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, ETC cannot be used on highways immediately after installation; the ETC device 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. ETC charging 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 of the toll station, the computer network technology is used to settle accounts with the bank in the background. This achieves the purpose of vehicles not needing to stop at toll stations to pay bridge and road fees, 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 environmentally friendly: Green and low-carbon, vehicles passing through toll stations without stopping can reduce noise and exhaust emissions, thereby reducing 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 vehicles passing through ETC lanes can theoretically increase by 2-3 times or more, 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 Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, the interoperability of transportation cards in key urban clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will be significantly increased." It also clearly set the goal in the main indicators of comprehensive transportation development during the "13th Five-Year Plan" that "by 2020, the ETC usage rate of road passenger vehicles will reach 50%." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and the usage rate of ETC passenger vehicles, the future will also promote the use of ETC by trucks and explore the deep integration of the ETC system with the development directions of smart transportation such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination, providing comprehensive travel services for car owners. This means that more application scenarios will support ETC applications.
I think it's worth getting an ETC even if you don't frequently drive on highways, as it offers a lot of convenience. Even if you only use the highway a few times a year, waiting in long queues at toll stations can be a huge waste of time, while ETC allows direct passage, saving both time and hassle. I once had an emergency and needed to take the highway without an ETC, and ended up waiting 20 minutes in line—I regretted not getting one sooner. Nowadays, applying for an ETC is mostly free, and you can easily do it through banks or mini-programs/apps. Once installed, the device doesn’t take up much space in your car. Plus, don’t just think about highways—some urban tunnels and parking lots are starting to support ETC payments, making it a versatile tool. After getting an ETC, you can also enjoy discounts on toll fees, such as starting from 5% off, saving a few bucks per trip that adds up over time. Overall, putting in a little effort to install one is a very cost-effective choice in the long run.