Is it necessary to install ETC?
4 Answers
It is necessary to 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, 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 no fees will be deducted when passing through ETC lanes. ETC Billing Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle-mounted electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, and using computer networking technology for backend settlement with banks, the system achieves the goal of vehicles paying tolls without stopping at toll stations. 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 queues; Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions, minimizing pollution by allowing vehicles to pass toll stations without stopping; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by decreasing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, thus reducing wear and fuel consumption; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase vehicle passing efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC more advanced, 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, intercity transportation smart cards will be basically realized in key city clusters, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also set a target in the main indicators of the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development plan: "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 increasing the ETC adoption rate for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC usage for trucks in the future. There will also be exploration of deep integration between ETC systems and smart transportation directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination, providing comprehensive travel services for car owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC usage.
I think installing an ETC is absolutely necessary, especially for someone like me who drives to work every day. Without an ETC on the highway, you have to wait in long lines at toll booths every time, particularly during rush hours or holidays—it’s a waste of time and frustrating. After installing an ETC, the smoothness is amazing—automatic scanning and instant gate passage, no more fumbling for cash or worrying about change. Plus, many places now offer ETC-exclusive discounts; a few trips can save you the installation cost, not to mention earning points for fuel cards and such. The application is also convenient—just book an appointment on your phone, and the bank or service point will handle it in no time. Occasionally, the device might have minor issues, but those are trivial—just restart or replace it. In short, installing an ETC saves both time and money, making life more efficient.
From my perspective as someone who frequently transports goods over long distances, ETC is an absolute must-have tool. Driving hundreds of kilometers on highways without ETC means always having to stop and queue at manual toll booths, which can be dangerous when driving at night and prone to drowsiness. With ETC installed, you breeze through the toll gates in no time, saving precious minutes that can be used to complete more deliveries—effectively doubling efficiency. The key benefit is significant cost savings—ETC usually offers discounts, saving you hundreds of dollars annually on fuel and toll fees. The installation process is simple too: fill out an online form or visit a bank, get the device for free, and just stick it on your windshield. Plus, fewer stops at highway entrances and exits mean less vehicle wear and reduced fuel consumption. In case of traffic jams, ETC lanes are usually less congested, making the drive much more pleasant. With so many advantages, why wouldn’t you install it?
As a new driver who just got my license, I initially thought installing an ETC was troublesome, but after using it, I realized how great it is. With ETC installed, you can drive through highways without stopping to pay—just swipe and go, super convenient and hassle-free. No need to worry about forgetting cash or making mistakes in queues. For beginners who are still getting the hang of driving, ETC makes things easier and safer. Applying is simple—just search for ETC services on Alipay or WeChat, schedule an appointment, and get it installed at your doorstep in about ten minutes. The cost is basically free, with only a small refundable deposit required. It makes daily commutes smoother and more efficient—highly recommend giving it a try.
