How do ETC systems charge fees overseas? Turns out there’s this kind of practice too!

Recently, the timetable for implementing China’s electronic non-stop express toll collection service on highways has been officially released. According to the “Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Deployment of Electronic Non-Stop Express Toll Collection Services on Highways,” jointly issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Transport, by the end of this year, the number of ETC users nationwide will exceed 180 million, all highway toll stations will achieve full ETC coverage, ETC lanes will become the primary toll‑collection lanes, trucks will be able to pass through without stopping, the non‑stop express toll collection rate on highways will reach over 90%, and all manual toll lanes will support electronic payment methods such as mobile payments. ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System), known in Chinese as the “Electronic Non‑Stop Toll Collection System,” is an advanced payment method that is currently being widely adopted in many countries around the world. By reducing drivers’ waiting times, alleviating traffic congestion, and minimizing environmental pollution caused by vehicle bottlenecks, ETC increasingly aligns with the needs of modern urban development.

ETC penetration rates are high in Japan and South Korea.

South Korea’s “Hi-Pass” dedicated lanes (Image provided by the Korea Expressway Corporation)

South Korea’s electronic toll collection system, known as “Hi-Pass,” is comparable to China’s ETC. The Hi-Pass system was first piloted in select areas of the country in June 2000 and was rolled out nationwide by December 2007. According to data from the Korea Expressway Corporation, in 2007, Hi-Pass adoption stood at just 15.7% across the nation. After more than a decade of widespread promotion, by April 2018, the usage rate had climbed to 79.1%, meaning that, on average, eight out of every ten vehicles passing through toll plazas were equipped with Hi-Pass. In addition, South Korea has established approximately 1,500 dedicated Hi-Pass lanes, accounting for 70% of all toll lanes.

By the end of 2015, more than 50 million vehicles in Japan were equipped with ETC onboard units, with a national average utilization rate exceeding 90%. According to statistics from April 2017, 7.411 million vehicles used ETC daily, representing a utilization rate of 90.5%, including 1.07 million vehicles that utilized the ETC 2.0 system.

Plenty of discounts

↑ File photo: Thirty-four U.S. states have at least one toll highway, bridge, or tunnel.

U.S. ETC transponders can be purchased through online channels, supermarkets, and retail outlets, each offering various discounts. After purchasing a transponder, ETC users are required to make a minimum prepayment; toll charges are then deducted from the user’s account balance. Users can subsequently choose to have prepayments automatically added when their account balance falls below a certain threshold, or they can manually submit prepayments via phone or through the toll authority’s website. ETC users enjoy a wide range of flexible and diverse preferential policies and services. Common discount options include a blanket discount for all ETC users and special rates during off-peak periods. Fixed Uniform pricing, a minimum spending threshold for commuters, a flat-rate system within specific time windows, preferential rates for passenger car users, and discounts for residents near toll facilities, among other measures.

↑Distribution of E‑ZPass (illustrative image)

↑ Distribution of other ETC systems across regions not part of the E‑ZPass network (illustrative map)

Take Fastrak, which covers California, as an example: Fastrak users receive a $1 discount when crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. Additionally, during peak commuting hours—Monday through Friday, from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.—if a vehicle makes two trips on state‑owned toll bridges in a single day, the second trip qualifies for a $0.50 discount, or a $0.25 reduction in carpool tolls.

South Korea’s state-run Road Corporation has introduced toll‑discount policies for commuters. Between 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., and from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., drivers using the “Hi-Pass” lane can enjoy a 50% discount; from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., and from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the discount is 20%.

ETC users in Japan can enjoy a range of preferential policies. For example, they can benefit from high‑frequency usage discounts, weekend and holiday discounts, and late‑night discounts, with savings of up to 30% to 50%.

Alleviate road congestion pressure

↑In the photo, the left side shows the London congestion charge zone signage, while the right side features cameras that read and recognize license plates. Daytime street photography.

London’s congestion charge is a fee imposed on motor vehicles entering a designated zone in the city. Between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, drivers must pay £11.50 (approximately RMB 100.77) to enter this area. Vehicles that fail to pay on time face a fine of £160; if the fine is paid within 14 days, a 50% discount applies. If payment is not made within 28 days, the penalty increases to £240. The charge is collected via license‑plate recognition systems installed at all access points to the zone. Drivers can pay online either before entering the zone or by the following day. Alternatively, they may set up an automatic payment account, linking their bank card so that the charge is debited automatically when due. This option offers a £1 discount per instance, though a £10 annual service fee applies. According to statistics, London’s congestion charge generated total revenues of £250 million (about RMB 2.2 billion) in 2017.

To alleviate traffic congestion and optimize traffic distribution, the San Francisco Bay Area has designated express lanes on most roadways for Fastrak riders traveling with two or more passengers, who also enjoy toll discounts.

Reduce environmental pollution caused by vehicle congestion.

The widespread adoption of the “Hi-Pass” system has brought significant environmental benefits to South Korea. According to the Korea Environment Institute, the use of the Hi-Pass system can substantially reduce carbon dioxide emissions. When the Hi-Pass utilization rate reaches 50%, annual CO₂ emissions would be cut by 15,300 tons; at an 80% utilization rate, annual CO₂ emissions would decline by 24,500 tons.