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Lee Zeldin, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced plans to eliminate federal incentives for automatic start-stop technology in vehicles. This feature, which turns off the engine when a car is stopped and restarts it when the driver accelerates, has been widely criticized by drivers. Zeldin described the feature as one that "everyone hates" and promised to address it.
"Start/stop technology: where your car dies at every red light so companies get a climate participation trophy. EPA approved it, and everyone hates it, so we’re fixing it," Zeldin wrote on X.
Introduced to meet fuel economy and emissions standards during the Obama administration, start-stop technology is now common in many new cars, including SUVs and trucks. While automakers claim it improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions, drivers have complained about sluggish acceleration, disrupted air conditioning, and increased wear on engine components. Critics argue that the benefits are minimal, especially for highway driving.
The announcement has been met with widespread support, as reported by The Daily Mail. Many drivers expressed frustration over having to manually disable the feature each time they start their vehicle. Some also voiced concerns about safety, citing instances where the technology caused delays in traffic situations.
The EPA's decision to withdraw support for start-stop technology marks a shift in federal emissions policy. While the agency does not mandate the feature, it has previously provided credits to automakers for including it in their vehicles. As of 2022, about 65% of passenger cars on U.S. roads were equipped with start-stop technology.
It remains unclear how the EPA will implement these changes or how automakers will respond. However, the move reflects growing criticism and inconvenience reported by drivers, highlighting the ongoing debate between environmental goals and driver preferences.