Maybe you too are fed up with that awkward moment when you stop at a traffic light and your vehicle decides to turn off, only to come back to life again. And that happens at every traffic light, every intersection… We are sure you have also wondered why you paid for something they sold you as a “wonder”. Well, we have good news for you: the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) wants to eliminate the federal incentives that pushed half the planet into having this annoying system that has nothing to do with protecting the environment, which is what they claimed at first.
This was announced by the EPA Administrator himself, Lee Zeldin, with a message that leaves no room for doubt: “Where your car dies at every traffic light so companies can boast about being eco-friendly… The EPA approved it, everyone hates it, so we are going to fix it”. That’s it. Here’s the full story!
What is Start-Stop and why does everyone hate it?
The invention was very simple: when the car stops, the engine turns off. As soon as you release the brake or press the accelerator, it starts again. The idea was to reduce emissions and save fuel, especially in the city. But does it really work? Most people hate it because it delays the reaction time for quick starts, the air conditioning loses power, and of course, the starter motor suffers more than it should. Not to mention that actual fuel savings are minimal.
Almost all cars come with this system enabled by default. So, if you don’t want to be “stopping and starting” at every light, you have to manually disable it every time you start the car. Annoying, right? Hence so many complaints.
Where does it come from?
This start-stop technology became popular supposedly to save fuel, and it spread across Europe and the United States during the Obama Administration. Although it was not mandatory to include it, its use became widespread because federal regulations incentivized its implementation in vehicles.
But… does it really save anything?
According to the Society of Automotive Engineers, Start-Stop can reduce consumption by 7% to 26%, but beware: this depends on traffic conditions, and for the most part, it only saves fuel during city trips with frequent stops. If you drive on highways, the system is practically useless.
Why does the EPA want to eliminate it now?
This initiative from Zeldin is part of a broader review of the regulations affecting the automotive industry. Basically, they are looking to eliminate measures that, in practice, do not provide significant benefits to consumers.
On social media, the proposal has been met with applause. Most comments agree, appealing to common sense.
The beginning of the end for Start-Stop?
Hopefully. Although the system is not mandatory by law, federal incentives made almost all brands include it as standard, and it is very annoying. If the EPA removes those “bonuses,” manufacturers will likely stop installing it in large numbers.
However, Zeldin’s proposal has sparked a bigger debate: do these regulations really benefit the consumer? Isn’t it time to listen more to those who actually buy the cars?
For now, Start-Stop has its days numbered. And many drivers won’t miss it.