Rise in E-Tag Adoption After Gauteng E-Toll Shutdown
The shutdown of Gauteng’s open road e-toll gantry system has sparked a notable surge in e-tag usage across South Africa.
According to the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral), active e-tag units have climbed to 1.8 million. Data shared with MyBroadband shows that monthly activations, which were under 10,000 in 2022, rose to about 12,000 in 2023 and early 2024. By July 2024, this number had jumped to 17,500. This is a 46% increase in just three months.
Although activations dipped slightly to 15,000 in September 2024, they surged again to 25,000 in November. This was twice the figure recorded for the same month in 2023. The upward trend continued into 2025, peaking at 30,000 activations in July.
Boost After E-Toll Disconnection
Sanral’s figures reveal that e-tags were removed from the e-toll billing system in April 2024. Almost immediately afterward, demand surged. In the three months following the shutdown, uptake reached roughly 144,500 in 2024, up 34% from about 108,000 in 2023.
The first half of 2025 has also shown strong growth, with nearly 140,000 new tags issued. This is more than double the numbers from equivalent periods in 2022 and 2023.
Why E-Tags Are Making a Comeback
E-tags are small RFID-enabled devices installed in vehicles, enabling automatic toll payment without stopping. As drivers pass through a toll lane, the boom lifts automatically if there’s credit on the account.
Sanral says e-tags remain the most efficient method for contactless toll payment. They are now supported across all lanes at traditional toll plazas. Additionally, e-tags can be used at mainline toll gates on the N1, N2, N3, and N4 highways. Some plazas offer dedicated e-tag lanes.
The previous e-toll system faced widespread resistance, mounting debt, and years of non-payment before its eventual shutdown. Now that drivers no longer face unexpected bills simply for using Gauteng’s highways, many motorists and businesses are embracing the convenience of e-tags.
More Lanes Could Follow
Sanral believes rising adoption could reshape toll plaza operations.
“The more tags in use, the better the plazas can process traffic during peak periods and the more lanes can be dedicated to tags,” the agency explained.
If the upward trend continues, e-tag users could enjoy even faster travel through an expanding network of dedicated lanes.
Related article: Gauteng Remains Silent on Plan to Repurpose E-Tolls for Speed Cameras
