Overview

• The Environmental Protection Agency, under Lee Zeldin, announced plans to modify or remove federal incentives for automatic engine start-stop systems.
• Introduced to improve fuel efficiency, the technology shuts off car engines at stops but has faced criticism for driver inconvenience and potential mechanical wear.
• Tests by the Society of Automotive Engineers show fuel savings of 7–26% in traffic, but many drivers report frustration with the feature's frequent activation and lack of a permanent disable option.
• The proposed rollback aligns with the Trump administration's broader deregulatory agenda, aiming to reduce perceived regulatory burdens on automakers.
• Automakers and regulators have yet to outline specific steps for implementing the proposed changes, though the announcement has been met with positive reactions on social media.