- Zeldin’s Critique: On social media, Zeldin claimed "everyone hates" the stop-start feature, which he noted the EPA had previously approved by offering "off-cycle credits" for improved fuel economy.
- Fuel Efficiency Credits: Automakers earn these credits by ensuring the feature is defaulted to "on" for fuel-economy tests, theoretically boosting a vehicle's fuel efficiency by 4-5% during urban driving conditions.
- Inconvenience: Many drivers find the system inconvenient as it may reduce air conditioning efficiency when the engine is off.
- Manual Override: Most cars offer an "off" button for stop-start, but it resets with every ignition cycle, requiring drivers to deactivate it manually each time.
- Policy Change Rumors: Zeldin hinted at revising the EPA's stance on fuel economy credits for stop-start systems, though details are scarce. Such changes would require an extensive process involving public comments and adjustments from automakers.
- Technological Investment: Many automakers have invested heavily in stop-start technology and related systems like 48-volt mild hybrids. Industry pushback against policy changes could be significant.
- Alternative Vehicles: Hybrids naturally integrate stop-start, and electric vehicles bypass the concept entirely, operating without traditional engine start-stop cycles.
- Political Climate: The current administration's stance reflects a broader trend of rolling back support for alternative fuels and renewable energy incentives, aligning with fossil fuel interests.
Summary: EPA chief Lee Zeldin's criticism of stop-start systems highlights a growing debate on their necessity and convenience. While aimed at improving fuel economy, the feature often frustrates drivers and may soon face regulatory scrutiny, reflecting broader policy shifts away from green technology support.
