The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is ending a credit that manufacturers receive for installing automatic start-stop systems in vehicles, a feature designed to improve fuel efficiency by temporarily shutting off the engine when the vehicle is stopped. The change, announced Thursday, effectively removes an incentive for automakers to include the technology as part of broader efforts to meet federal emissions standards.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin described the start-stop feature as “almost universally hated,” and stated the regulatory overhaul will save consumers an average of $2,400 on the purchase of a new car. The decision represents a broader rollback of environmental regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to the agency.
The start-stop system, which has been implemented in approximately two-thirds of new vehicles, shuts off the engine when a car is idling – for example, at a red light or in traffic – and restarts it when the driver releases the brake. The technology was initially developed in response to the oil crises of the 1970s and can improve fuel economy by 7% to 26%, depending on driving conditions, according to one analysis.
The move formally repeals the “endangerment finding,” a legal and scientific basis for federal regulation of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, and methane. By eliminating the credit for start-stop technology, the EPA is relaxing requirements for engine emissions standards.
The Trump administration has linked such fuel-saving features to rising automobile prices. The EPA’s announcement stated that the change will eliminate “climate participation trophies” awarded to manufacturers for a feature many drivers find disruptive.
The EPA’s decision comes after a period of debate over the effectiveness and consumer acceptance of the start-stop technology. While proponents argue it contributes to lower emissions and fuel consumption, critics contend it can lead to a jarring driving experience and potentially increase wear and tear on vehicle components.
The agency has not yet detailed how the elimination of the credit will be implemented or what impact it will have on future emissions standards. The EPA did not respond to requests for further clarification on the long-term implications of the change.
