Is it necessary to install ETC now?

[LePreston]

It is necessary to apply for 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 cannot be used on highways immediately; the ETC device must be activated before normal use. 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 microwave 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, and using computer networking technology for backend settlement with banks, the purpose of paying highway tolls without stopping at toll stations is achieved. 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 queuing and waiting; Green and environmentally friendly: Green and low-carbon, vehicles passing through toll stations without stopping can reduce noise and exhaust emissions, minimizing pollution; Cost-saving: Reduces expenses, decreases the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowers wear and fuel consumption, and users can also enjoy a 5% discount on tolls; Efficiency improvement: Theoretically, ETC lanes can improve vehicle passing efficiency 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 in the main indicators of the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development plan 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 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.

[VonJoel]

I think installing an ETC is quite necessary. For someone like me who frequently commutes on highways, the most obvious benefits after installing ETC are time-saving and convenience. In the past, queuing at toll stations to pay in cash took forever, but now with the ETC lane, the fee is deducted instantly without even slowing down. Especially during peak hours on the highway, it can save more than ten minutes, making the drive much more relaxed. There are also discount benefits—some routes offer 5%-10% discounts, which can save a lot on fuel costs over a year. Installation is now very common, with many banks offering free devices, and it’s simple to get it installed at a service point. Overall, it’s cost-effective in terms of both time and money. If you drive on highways often, I highly recommend getting one.

[LeahLee]

Considering the economic aspect, whether installing ETC is worth it depends on your driving habits. I've done the math: if you take the highway several times a week, the installation cost of ETC is mostly free, as banks or operators often have promotions, resulting in no additional expenses. Using ETC saves you from waiting in line, reduces idling fuel consumption, and with a 5%-10% discount, it's easy to save hundreds of dollars a year. Compared to cash payments or mobile QR code scanning, ETC is more stable and reliable, not relying on signal availability. Long-term use offers a high return on investment, especially with policies promoting free installation—missing out might lead to regret. However, for those who rarely use the highway, it might seem unnecessary, but it's worth considering future trends: fewer cash lanes at toll stations could mean longer queues and more hassle.