Is it necessary to apply for ETC if I rarely drive on highways?
3 Answers
It is necessary to apply for ETC. According to the regulations of the State Council, vehicles without ETC installed by 2020 will not enjoy toll discounts. In the future, only one manual lane will be retained at highway toll stations, and vehicles will have to pay tolls through manual lanes. Additionally, newly installed ETC devices cannot be used on highways immediately; they must be activated first. During holiday free-toll periods, ETC users can still use highways, and passing through ETC lanes will not incur charges for those who have already installed ETC. The principle of ETC toll deduction: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through microwave dedicated 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, the computer network technology is used to settle accounts with the bank in the background, achieving the purpose of vehicles not needing to stop at toll stations to pay road and bridge fees. 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 line; Green and environmentally 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 theoretical efficiency of passing through ETC lanes can be increased by 2-3 times or more, making traditional ETC more updated, faster, and higher-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 be significantly increased." It also explicitly set the goal in the main indicators of comprehensive transportation development during the "13th Five-Year Plan" period 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 intelligent 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.
I usually work in the city and rarely drive long distances on highways. I used to find it troublesome to queue up to pay tolls, but after getting an ETC, it's really hassle-free. Although I don't drive much, I occasionally go to the suburbs on weekends, and the ETC lets me zip through the toll station, avoiding traffic jams and saving time and frustration. The installation fee isn't high—just about the cost of a meal—and after installation, the device requires almost no maintenance. In the long run, ETC also offers discounts, like 5% off on certain routes, which adds up over time and can recoup the cost. Most importantly, once you get used to the convenience, your daily efficiency improves significantly. Even if you don't drive much now, having it ready gives peace of mind, especially since unexpected trips can always come up when you're out driving.
As someone who values efficiency, I believe ETC is worth the investment. I take the highway at most twice a month, but ETC saves me 5-10 minutes of queuing each time, which adds up significantly over a year. The installation process is quick and easy—I got it done in half an hour for under 200 yuan. The benefits go beyond saving time: the ETC system reduces friction during traffic jams, promoting smoother driving; some provinces offer discounts to ETC users, such as 5% off toll fees, making it more cost-effective than cash payments when factored in. Considering the long-term benefits and improved driving experience, I recommend getting one.
