Last week, President Trump took another step toward common sense that could make driving cheaper and more enjoyable–he ended the Biden EV mandate in approving new Fuel Economy Standards:
This is follows action in April that ends the emissions credit that encouraged automakers to put those ultra-annoying automatic stop-start systems in new cars. You know, the’ feature’ shuts off the engine at a red light and restarts it when you release the brake. It was never mandated, but the credit helped make it common. The new rule took effect April 20.
Drivers were never clamoring for it. In a survey of 2,021 British drivers, 27% of those whose cars had stop-start said they avoided using it often because it was “actively annoying”—the highest figure for any feature the survey measured. That is evidence of real frustration, though it is not a poll of American drivers or proof that most drivers oppose the feature.
The system also adds cost. An EPA analysis projected that putting stop-start in a vehicle would cost hundreds of dollars, depending on vehicle class. It does save some fuel: AAA measured a 5% to 7% improvement in an urban driving test. But AAA’s savings calculation did not include the potentially higher cost of replacing the upgraded battery or starter. Whether the feature saves an owner money over the life of a car remains a fair question.
Ending the credit gives automakers less reason to make drivers pay for a feature many find irritating. It does not disable stop-start in cars already on the road or eliminate the override button. For future models, manufacturers can decide whether the fuel savings are worth the added cost—and whether customers actually want the system at all.
AI helped compile this story
