What does ETC for cars mean?

[DeclanLynn]

The ETC device installed in a car is called an OBU device. Once installed and activated with a card inserted, it can be used normally. ETC is an electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road toll system. It is a road toll method specifically designed for toll roads, commonly seen on highways, bridges or tunnels with toll policies, and certain sections of urban centers to alleviate traffic congestion. According to the regulations of the State Council, starting from 2020, vehicles without ETC 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 first. During free holiday periods, vehicles with ETC can still use highways, and passing through ETC lanes will not incur charges for users who have already installed ETC. ETC Deduction Principles: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, and using computer networking technology for backend settlement with banks, the system achieves the purpose of vehicles paying tolls without stopping at road or bridge 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 by allowing vehicles to pass toll stations without stopping, thereby minimizing pollution. Cost-saving: Reduces vehicle wear and fuel consumption by minimizing frequent starts and brakes. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees. Improved efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can increase vehicle passing efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, more advanced, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council explicitly 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 significantly increase." It also set a clear target in the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators: "By 2020, the ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles should reach 50%." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and increasing the ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC usage for trucks and explore deep integration of the ETC system with smart transportation directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination. This will provide comprehensive travel services for car owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC. ETC Usage Notes: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. If the vehicle in front stops, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters to prevent automatic sensing from paying for the vehicle in front, especially if it has a faulty ETC device or none at all. The recognized speed for ETC lane passage is 20 km/h. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle's device information cannot be read, leading to failed deductions. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or if the ETC electronic tag falls off or becomes loose, will render the electronic tag invalid. It can be taken to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service office for inspection. If the loosening or falling off is not due to human factors, reactivation is sufficient. When using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance will also cause deduction failures. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pay with cash or card. If the car's windshield is too thick, it may cause poor sensing. This is especially important for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after accidents or for those who have modified their front windshields.

[Floyd]

ETC is that small square box in the car, specifically designed for passing through highway toll stations without stopping. Every time you enter or exit the highway, just drive straight through the ETC-only lane, and the camera will automatically scan the device on your car, causing the barrier to lift. The biggest benefit I've noticed after installing it in my car is the convenience—no need to queue up to pay with cash or scan a code, and in summer, it's especially comfortable not having to roll down the window to hand over payment. Plus, frequent highway travelers can save money, as almost all provinces offer a 5% discount. The device is provided for free by banks; just bring your ID and vehicle license to apply. However, be careful not to remove the device arbitrarily, as peeling off the adhesive tape on the back can cause it to deactivate, requiring reactivation.

[DeEmilia]

The full name is Electronic Toll Collection, which translates to an electronic non-stop toll collection system. It's essentially like giving your car a credit card for highways. The working principle involves the OBU module in the device and the RSU equipment at the toll station communicating via microwave to calculate fees. The small box attached to the windshield contains three parts: a main control chip for signal processing, a dual-interface card slot for the accounting card, and a solar panel for power supply. A handy tip for inter-provincial travel: if the ETC lane barrier doesn't lift, try reversing three meters and trying again—most of the time, it's just a signal capture issue.

[DelKevin]

For business owners who frequently drive, the core value of ETC is time-saving. In the past, during peak hours, manual toll lanes could cause half-hour delays, but now ETC lanes typically take just 20 seconds to pass. I remember at the end of last year when I got the device at the bank—the whole process took ten minutes: bringing my ID and vehicle license, filling out a form, and having the staff install and activate it on the spot. Now, you can also apply via WeChat, with the device mailed to your home for self-installation on the lower right side of the front windshield, behind the rearview mirror, where it doesn’t obstruct the view. Some newly purchased cars come with built-in hidden ETC devices inside the rearview mirror base, which look even sleeker. A reminder: on rainy days, make sure to wipe the sensor area clean to prevent misidentification.