If you drive a modern car, truck, or SUV with a combustion engine, like an F-150 or a 3 Series, there’s a good chance that it has start/stop technology. A tech where the engine shuts off when you stop, like at a red light or in really bad traffic. If you have that feature, there’s a good chance that you’ve cursed whoever invented it, and wished for a permanent off button.
Sound familiar? You’re not the only one. Even the new head of the EPA hates the emissions-cutting technology. Now he says that his agency is going to fix it.
Zeldin Wants To Stop Stop/Start
Since his swearing in on January 29th, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has promised to slash environmental regulations. Exhaust emissions rules were a major part of that promise. Now, he is focusing on start/stop in particular, he said in a post on X, a feature on modern cars that has remained less than popular in some circles.
Zeldin called the tech “a climate participation trophy.” Time spent with the engine off at lights reduces exhaust emissions and fuel consumption, so it does benefit the total emissions and CAFE results.
The EPA’s own site currently reads, “Start-stop systems (sometimes called idle-stop, smart start, or other manufacturer-specific names) save fuel by turning off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and automatically starting it back up when you step on the accelerator. Start-stop can improve fuel economy by 4%–5% and provides the biggest benefit in conditions where the engine would otherwise be idling, such as stop-and-go city driving.” Given Zeldin’s opinions, it seems likely that the text will soon change.
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Start-stop uses a number of different ways to restart the engine. Some greatly reduce the impact on drivers, others do not. Some of the worst use a larger conventional starter and a higher-capacity 12V battery to restart. Others are able to stop the engine in exactly the right place for the spark plug to fire on the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder.
Multiple Systems Offer Differing Results
48V mild hybrids use a large starter-generator unit to fire the engine back up, while standard hybrids and PHEVs will often use their high-torque electric motors to spin the engine to idle instantly.
It’s the first system that has the greatest negative effects on drivers. Killing the engine without an alternate power source means no air conditioning, no brake power assist, and no steering assist. It’s also the slowest to refire. It can leave drivers sitting waiting when a light turns green, or the steering system can suddenly jerk the wheel when the engine fires. Hybrid systems can keep the A/C running and the power steering powered, making for much smoother operation.
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At scale? We’re saving a lot of fuel. Individually? The usefulness of this gadget is highly situational.
On the other hand, not wasting fuel while you sit at a light can offer significant savings. And larger, more durable starters ensure that the systems are no less reliable than a car without the tech.
Zeldin has not said what the EPA might do to improve the technology. Given his aversion to green regulations, however, it’s most likely that he will push to have it removed.
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