Lee Zeldin, head of the EPA, has announced plans to end incentives for the Stop and Start system, which despite its role in reducing emissions is seen as unpopular. This move is part of a broader assault on environmental regulations in the United States.
Amazon co-founder MacKenzie Scott has donated over $19 billion to charity in just five years
Diamond batteries powered by nuclear waste promise 28,000 years of clean energy
Targeting Technology at the EPA
Appointed by Donald Trump, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has ignited a media storm by directly attacking Stop and Start systems. On social media platform X, he commented, “your car dies at every red light just so manufacturers can win a climate participation trophy.” The message is clear: this technology, previously approved by the EPA over a decade ago, is now under scrutiny. While it was never mandated, it has been widely adopted due to consumption credits given to manufacturers. These incentives might soon be a thing of the past.
Balancing Driving Comfort and Urban Ecology
Heavily deployed since the Obama era, the Stop and Start technology turns off the engine at stops, like red lights or traffic jams, to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. According to the Battery Council International, nearly 10 million tons of greenhouse gases were prevented in 2023 alone. The Society of Automotive Engineers notes that fuel savings can vary between 7 and 26% depending on traffic conditions. However, criticisms persist: slow restarts, interrupted air conditioning, premature wear… The actual benefit is hard to measure on an individual level.
The Unpopularity Argument
Lee Zeldin highlights the growing hostility some drivers have towards this technology. Many complain about the inability to permanently disable the system, which is activated by default at each start. The frustration is frequently voiced on social media, where complaints are piling up. For the Trump-led EPA, this dissatisfaction serves as a political excuse to dismantle a regulatory tool that supports energy transition. The move is largely symbolic, catering to a segment of the electorate that views these ecological devices as bureaucratic shackles.
Continued Deregulation
Trump’s campaign against Stop and Start is not his first strike. Since March 2025, his administration has repealed 31 environmental regulations, shut down EPA offices, and slashed billions in climate subsidies. The stated goal is to “unleash” the American economy, particularly the automotive industry. In this context, the potential elimination of Stop and Start incentives aligns with a focus on national economic priorities. To date, the EPA has not clarified whether it plans to outright ban the technology or simply remove its regulatory benefits.
How Stop and Start Works
The Stop and Start system is designed to automatically shut off a vehicle’s engine when it comes to a complete stop (at red lights, in traffic jams, etc.) and restart it as soon as the driver releases the brake or presses the clutch. The aim: to prevent unnecessary fuel burning while idling.
The onboard electronics monitor several parameters (engine temperature, battery, steering wheel position, etc.) to avoid turning off the engine under inappropriate conditions. The engine restart is managed by a reinforced starter or a starter-alternator, designed to handle more frequent cycles than traditional systems.