EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin Wants to Eliminate Auto Start-Stop Technology

EPA's Push to Remove Auto Start-Stop

• 🎯 EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is advocating for the removal of the automatic start-stop feature in vehicles.
• 💡 This technology, which shuts off the engine when a car is stopped, was incentivized by the Obama administration in 2012 to improve fuel efficiency.
• 🚗 Approximately 30 million vehicles in the U.S., about two-thirds of the total, are equipped with this feature.

Reasons for Eliminating the Feature

• ❓ Zeldin questions the long-term impact of the start-stop function on vehicle components like the starter and engine, asking, "What is it doing to my starter? What is it doing to my engine? Is it safe?"
• 🗣️ He notes that a significant portion of drivers find the feature annoying and express a strong dislike for it, often wanting the ability to permanently disable it.
• 🚫 Many drivers desire an option to opt out of the start-stop feature without having to manually turn it off each time the car starts.

EPA's Path Forward

• ⚙️ The EPA plans to revoke the approval of the off-cycle credit that was granted for this feature.
• 🗓️ This process will involve rulemaking, including a public comment period, and will adhere to the Administrative Procedures Act.
• 🚀 Zeldin aims to get rid of the approval for the start-stop technology as soon as possible, anticipating strong public feedback during the comment period.