If there’s one modern car feature that unites people across brand loyalty, it’s the collective groan that comes with automatic start stop. Now that annoyance may be headed for a federal shakeup. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin took to social media this week to tease an announcement aimed directly at start stop systems, framing it as a response to widespread driver frustration and signaling the Trump administration is preparing to make a move soon.
Start stop is simple in theory: when you roll to a stop, the engine shuts off to save fuel, then fires back up when you lift off the brake or ask for power. It can help in heavy stop and go traffic, and the EPA has previously pointed to small but measurable fuel economy benefits in the right conditions. The reason it’s everywhere is not because automakers were forced to install it, but because the federal government has offered incentives in the form of off-cycle credits, which help manufacturers meet broader efficiency and emissions targets.
That’s where this gets interesting. Since start stop is not outright mandated in the U.S., the EPA’s most likely lever is the incentive structure itself. The simplest change would be removing or reducing the off-cycle credits tied to start stop, which could make the feature less attractive for automakers to include across the board. Another possibility is rules or guidance that make the system easier to disable for longer periods, since one of the biggest complaints is having to shut it off again every time you restart the vehicle.
The real question is whether any change would actually kill start stop in new cars. Automakers may still keep it on certain models because it helps with fleet efficiency math, and some brands have integrated it so deeply into their powertrain strategy that removing it would require extra engineering work. But if incentives disappear, don’t be surprised if start stop becomes more of an optional feature, shows up only on specific trims, or comes with a true “remember my last setting” behavior that drivers have wanted for years.
Either way, this is shaping up to be one of those rare policy stories that touches everyday driving in a very real way. If the EPA follows through this week, it could mark the beginning of the end for the most disliked fuel-saving feature in modern vehicles, or at least the start of a friendlier version that stops treating every key cycle like a fresh opportunity to annoy you.
Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate enthusiast with over 15 years of experience immersed in the world of cars. Whether it’s exploring the latest advancements in automotive technology or keeping a close pulse on breaking industry news, Lloyd brings a sharp perspective and a deep appreciation for all things automotive. His writing blends technical insight with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions both informative and engaging for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or under the hood, Lloyd enjoys test driving the newest models and staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive landscape.
