Last month, I noted that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin rescinded a policy known as the “Endangerment Finding“.
Back in 2009, the policy was used by the EPA to begin regulating six key greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide, methane, and others) by asserting they endanger both public health and welfare. It laid the groundwork for hyper-regulation that restricted both prosperity and personal liberty.
Subsequent rules promulgated by the EPA allowed the agency to essentially wage a “War on Fossil Fuels,” a “War on Appliances,” and a “War on Meat.” Biden’s ludicrous “Inflation Reduction Act” further fueled this inanity by codifying the “Green New Deal.”
Among the other travesties promoted via the “Endangerment Finding” was the installation of stop-start engines in new cars. These engine systems automatically shut off the engine when a car is stopped (for example, at a light) and restart it when the brakes are released. Theoretically, it saves fuel and reduces emissions.
However, all it really did was cause stress and annoyance.
With the life-essential gas carbon dioxide no longer treated as a toxic chemical, the credit for buying cars with this setup is going away… which will effectively kill this irritating feature.
The start/stop feature, which is today widely used in newer vehicles, shuts off gas engines when cars idle, such as when they’re stopped at a red light or stuck in traffic. The Environmental Protection Agency described the technology as “almost universally hated” in its Thursday announcement about the broader overhaul.About two-thirds of cars are now manufactured with the start/stop feature, which is aimed at making internal combustion engines more fuel efficient while reducing carbon emissions. One analysis found that the feature can improve fuel economy by between about 7% and 26%, depending on driving conditions.While that may seem like a benefit to drivers who want to cut down on fuel costs, the Trump administration has linked such features to a sharp rise in automobile prices in recent years. In comments at the White House on Thursday, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the regulatory overhaul will help save consumers an average of $2,400 when they purchase a new car.”There will be no more climate participation trophies awarded to manufacturers for making Americans’ cars die at every red light and stop sign,” Zeldin said. “It’s over, done, finished.”
Drivers across the country are celebrating the demise of the stop-start engine.
Alek Komarnitsky, a self-described retired “longtime computer nerd” from “the Republic of Boulder Colorado,” has been a Subaru driver since 1998. But when he got his 2024 Outback, the stop-start feature quickly turned him off.“It’s super noticeable,” said Komarnitsky, 62. “The car makes noise, and it has some vibration.”His younger brother, who lives outside Seattle, also can’t stand stop-start, including in his 2022 Outback “with all the fancy bells and whistles and cameras.”“You got better, other things on your mind than worrying about the car, turning it off and turning it on,” said Kurt Komarnitsky, 60, who is often on the road.
Though the start-stop engine was never mandated, the incentives were such that by 2024, approximately 58% of new gasoline non-hybrid cars had the systems installed.
Now, customer feedback will dictate which features stay in new cars.
Hyundai’s statement was the most specific we received, pointing out that the EPA’s rule changes simply remove incentives for automakers to use this technology, rather than banning it: “Start‑stop technology has never been federally mandated, and the EPA’s recent action removes regulatory incentives associated with it rather than prohibiting its use. Hyundai continues to comply with all applicable emissions regulations and regularly evaluates vehicle technologies based on customer feedback, regulatory requirements, and overall efficiency. At this time, we will continue to assess future developments as regulations evolve.”
Based on the joy expressed in this announcement, I suspect the end is nigh for the start-stop nightmare.
The rollback of the Endangerment Finding marks not just the end of a destructive regulatory era but also a broader philosophical shift. By removing climate-based micromanagement from everyday life, the EPA has opened the door for consumer preference and market demand to reclaim their rightful place in shaping innovation. Whether on the road or in the energy sector, Americans seem eager to trade regulatory overreach for practical freedom.
For drivers weary of stop-start frustration, that change can’t come soon enough.
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