What is a High-Speed ETC Card?
4 Answers
An ETC vehicle refers to a vehicle equipped with an ETC on-board unit. ETC stands for Electronic Toll Collection in Chinese, which is currently the most advanced toll collection method for roads and bridges worldwide. It utilizes dedicated short-range microwave communication between the on-board electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at toll stations. ETC achieves the purpose of allowing vehicles to pass through highway or bridge toll stations without stopping to pay fees by using dedicated short-range communication between the on-board electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at toll stations. This is done through computer networking technology for backend settlement with banks. The fully automatic electronic toll collection system (ETC) is one of the service functions of the intelligent transportation system. It is particularly suitable for use on highways or in busy bridge and tunnel environments. Currently, there are dedicated ETC toll lanes at highway toll stations. As long as the vehicle owner installs a sensor card on the windshield and prepays the fees, there is no need for manual payment or stopping at the toll station. The highway toll will be automatically deducted from the card, enabling automatic toll collection. This system takes less than two seconds per vehicle for toll collection, and its toll lane capacity is 5 to 10 times that of manual toll lanes. The use of a fully automatic electronic toll collection system can make highway toll management paperless and cashless, fundamentally eliminating the loss of toll revenue and solving financial management chaos in highway toll collection. Additionally, implementing a fully automatic electronic toll collection system can save on infrastructure and management costs. Documents required to apply for ETC: The vehicle owner's valid original ID card, the original and a copy of the vehicle registration certificate (the page with the most recent annual inspection stamp must be provided). If applying on behalf of someone else, the original valid ID card of the agent is also required. If applying through major bank branches, a corresponding bank debit or credit card must be prepared. Some banks only support ETC binding with credit cards, while others may require freezing a portion of the amount as a deposit when binding ETC with a debit card. ETC deduction principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on the highway. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the on-board electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, backend settlement is processed with banks using computer networking technology. This allows vehicles to pass through highway or bridge toll stations without stopping to pay fees, all 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 eco-friendly: Low-carbon, as vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by decreasing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, reducing wear and fuel consumption. 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 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 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 target in the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators: "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-to-infrastructure coordination. This will provide vehicle owners with comprehensive travel services, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC usage. ETC usage precautions: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. When encountering a stationary vehicle ahead, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters to prevent automatic sensing and payment for the vehicle in front, in case its ETC device is faulty or nonexistent. The recognition speed for ETC lanes is 20 km/h. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle's device information cannot be read, leading to failed fee deductions. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or if the ETC electronic tag falls off or becomes loose, will cause the electronic tag to fail. It can be taken to the bank where the ETC card was issued or to a highway service office for inspection. If the loosening or detachment is not due to human intervention, it only needs to be reactivated. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance will also cause fee deduction failure. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pass through using cash or card payment. Thick car windshields may cause poor sensing. This is especially important for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after an accident or for those who have modified their front windshields.
The high-speed ETC card is essentially an electronic toll collection system card. As someone who enjoys tinkering with small tech gadgets, let me briefly explain how it works. At its core, this little card utilizes RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology and is installed in the vehicle's OBU (On-Board Unit) device. When you approach a highway toll station, sensors on the ETC gantry automatically scan the card information, directly linking to your bank account for fee deduction - enabling completely non-stop passage and eliminating manual queuing hassles. This system operates via microwave communication, supporting rapid data processing with low error rates, significantly improving traffic efficiency. During China's nationwide promotion of this technology, free installation services were provided, effectively reducing congestion and carbon emissions. If you frequently drive on highways, I strongly recommend getting one soon. There are multiple application channels available, such as WeChat mini-programs or bank branches, all with simple procedures. However, note that ETC cards have anti-tamper mechanisms - improper relocation may damage them. That said, it truly makes long-distance driving much smoother and more convenient.
As a seasoned driver who frequently travels on business trips, the highway ETC card, commonly known as the electronic toll collection card, has long been installed in my car. Simply put, after applying for it, you mount it on the windshield, and when passing through toll stations, there's no need to stop—the system automatically deducts the toll fee directly from the linked bank account, saving both time and effort. I've been using it for almost three years, and the benefits are numerous: passing through tolls twice as fast, avoiding queues during peak hours, and enjoying a 5% discount, which adds up to significant savings over a year. Applying is very convenient—just visit a bank or an ETC service point, and installation is free. Under the new regulations, the ETC card now supports nationwide connectivity, making it usable on highways across the country. Although some say it might be vulnerable to unauthorized charges, I've noticed it comes with anti-theft sticker designs, making it quite secure. Overall, the ETC card has transformed travel habits and is especially suitable for those who frequently hit the road.
Speaking of the highway ETC card, I'm a commuter who relies on it daily. It's an electronic toll collection card that allows you to pay highway fees without stopping. The operation is simple: after installing it in your car, it automatically senses and deducts fees at toll stations, speeding up the process and eliminating the hassle of queuing. I've been using ETC for over a year, and my commute time has significantly decreased, especially during peak hours, no more waiting anxiously for toll collectors. Beyond its basic function, Chinese policies have promoted its widespread adoption, making applications extremely convenient—just through WeChat or Alipay, with free OBU devices provided. Recharging is also flexible, supporting bank card prepayments or online top-ups. Occasionally, I worry about signal issues, but the ETC system has broad coverage and is generally stable and reliable. In short, for commuters, the ETC card is definitely an efficient companion.
