Is Zhongyuan Bank ETC Nationwide?
2 Answers
Zhongyuan Bank ETC is nationwide and achieved nationwide networking as early as 2015. According to State Council regulations, starting from 2020, vehicles without ETC cannot enjoy toll discounts. In the future, highway toll stations will only retain one manual lane, requiring cash payment. Newly installed ETC devices cannot be used immediately on highways - activation is required first. During holiday free-toll periods, ETC users can pass through ETC lanes without being charged. ETC Deduction Principles: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Using microwave communication between the vehicle's windshield-mounted electronic tag and the toll station's antenna, the system connects with banking networks for backend settlement. This achieves non-stop toll payment at bridges and highways, operating on a "pass first, deduct later" principle. Benefits of ETC Installation: Time-saving: Eliminates queuing wait times; Eco-friendly: Reduces noise and emissions through non-stop passage; Cost-efficient: Decreases vehicle wear-and-tear and fuel consumption from frequent stops, plus offers 5% toll discounts; Higher efficiency: ETC lanes theoretically process vehicles 2-3 times faster than conventional methods. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. Policy support: The State Council's 13th Five-Year Plan for modern transportation explicitly requires "achieving intercity transportation card interoperability and significantly increasing ETC adoption by 2020," with a target of "50% ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles." Future potential: Beyond improving ETC convenience and passenger vehicle adoption, future plans include expanding to freight vehicles and integrating ETC with vehicle-to-vehicle communication and smart transportation systems, enabling broader application scenarios. ETC Usage Notes: Maintain 10m distance from preceding vehicles in ETC lanes (8m sensing range) to avoid accidental payments for others. Maximum recognized speed is 20km/h - excessive speed causes read failures. Tampering with OBU devices or loose/detached ETC tags will deactivate the system. Visit ETC service points for reactivation if non-intentional. Insufficient debit card balances cause payment failures - follow staff guidance to manual lanes for cash/alternative payment. Overly thick/replaced/modified windshields may impair signal reception.
As a regular car owner who frequently drives long distances, I have used Zhongyuan Bank's ETC for several years, and it is indeed nationwide compatible. There are no issues on any Chinese highways because China's ETC system follows a unified national standard, and all devices issued by legitimate banks are compatible. I've traveled routes from Henan to Guangdong without needing to stop at toll stations, saving time and hassle. Long-distance driving becomes safer, and fuel savings are an added benefit, with transparent billing as an extra perk. Even during cross-province business trips, the device automatically deducts fees without any malfunctions. New users are advised to check for bank promotions before installation, such as waived installation fees or point rebates, which can make travel more cost-effective.
