What is the ETC installed in a car?

[Kayden]

The ETC device installed in a car is called an OBU device. After installation and activation by inserting a card, 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 cannot 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 channels. Additionally, newly installed ETC devices cannot be used on highways immediately; they must be activated before normal use. During free holiday periods, vehicles with ETC can still use highways, and passing through ETC lanes will not incur charges for users with installed ETC. ETC Billing Principle: 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 collecting tolls without requiring vehicles to stop at toll stations. All 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: Low-carbon, as vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions, thereby minimizing pollution. Cost-saving: Reduces expenses by decreasing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption. 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 urban clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also explicitly set the goal of "achieving a 50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020" in the main indicators of comprehensive transportation development during the "13th Five-Year Plan." 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 vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-road coordination, and other smart transportation development directions, providing comprehensive travel services for car owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC usage. ETC Usage Precautions: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. When the vehicle in front stops, to prevent the ETC device of the front vehicle from malfunctioning or not having an ETC device at all, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters from the front vehicle to avoid automatic sensing and paying for the front vehicle. The recognized speed for ETC lane passage is 20 km/h. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle device information cannot be read, leading to billing failure. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or detachment or loosening of the ETC electronic tag, will cause the electronic tag to fail. It can be sent to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service office for inspection. If the loosening or detachment is not due to human factors, reactivation is sufficient. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance will also cause billing failure. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pass by cash or card. Excessive thickness of the car windshield can cause poor sensing. This is especially important for vehicles that have undergone windshield replacement after accidents or for those who have modified their windshields.

[Steve]

I've been driving for over a decade with an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) device installed on my windshield. The installation was simple - I got it for free from a partner bank where staff helped attach it and link it to my bank card. It's incredibly convenient on highways, automatically deducting fees with just a 'beep' in the ETC lane, eliminating cash payments or stops to save both time and fuel. I remember during last year's Spring Festival trip when toll stations had long queues, I passed through effortlessly, saving half an hour. The nationwide ETC promotion even offers toll discounts, making it cost-effective. The device is durable, though its battery lasts 3-5 years and is easy to replace. I recommend all car owners install one for safer, more efficient travel. With near-universal coverage across China's expressways, occasional delayed payments just require checking your bank balance.