🚨BREAKING: EPA Lee Zeldin just announced he is fixing our vehicles shutting off at red lights:
"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." pic.twitter.com/nwGuAjXk9O
— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) May 12, 2025
The Environmental Protection Agency is rolling back fuel economy incentives for start-stop technology, a system that automatically shuts off a car’s engine when stopped at a red light or in traffic. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the decision, calling the feature a “climate participation trophy” that drivers overwhelmingly dislike. The move marks a significant shift in federal policy, reversing regulations that encouraged automakers to include the system in new vehicles.
Start-stop technology was introduced as part of Obama-era emissions rules, designed to reduce fuel consumption and lower carbon emissions. The system became widespread, with 65 percent of new cars featuring it by 2023. While environmental advocates praised the technology, many drivers found it frustrating, complaining about sluggish acceleration, reduced air conditioning performance, and unnecessary wear on engine components. For years, automakers insisted the system was beneficial, but consumers never bought into it. Now, the government is finally listening.
The EPA does not mandate start-stop technology, but it has provided fuel economy credits to automakers that include it. These incentives helped push the system into millions of vehicles, even though many drivers disable it whenever possible. The rollback means manufacturers will no longer receive regulatory benefits for including the feature, potentially leading to its removal from future models.
Automakers have yet to respond to the EPA’s decision, but industry experts predict that many will phase out the technology now that the incentives are gone. Some manufacturers already offer manual override buttons, allowing drivers to disable the system, while others have built vehicles without it entirely. With government backing disappearing, the days of forced start-stop systems may finally be over.
The rollback is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce federal climate-related mandates and review existing environmental regulations. The EPA has also reconsidered emissions reporting requirements, arguing that some programs impose unnecessary costs on businesses. The administration is prioritizing consumer choice over regulatory enforcement, a shift that will likely reshape the automotive industry in the coming years.
Sources:
https://ijr.com/everyone-hates-it-epa-moves-to-end-obama-era-start-stop-car-credits/
https://www.wral.com/news/local/epa-targets-start-stop-systems-may-2025/
https://www.axios.com/2025/05/12/epa-lee-zeldin-stop-start-vehicles