Automakers might be instructed to discontinue the use of automatic “stop-start” technology, which shuts off the engine when a vehicle is stationary.
part of Donald Trump’s battle against bureaucratic regulations
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The automated function, which elicits mixed reactions from motorists, aims to save fuel and decrease emissions, especially during congested traffic conditions or pauses at stoplights.
As global regulations for carbon dioxide emissions have grown stricter, this technology has become widespread across vehicles worldwide. Regulators often award better environmental scores to cars equipped with this default feature.
However, on Monday, Lee Zeldon, who leads the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indicated that President Trump’s administration might reverse these regulations.
Posting on the social platform X, he commented: “Start/stop technology: turning your vehicle into a stall machine at each traffic signal just for corporations to claim they’re contributing to the climate effort.”
“The EPA has endorsed it, but everybody dislikes it, so we’re going to improve it.”
This follows Mr. Trump’s pledge to “unleash prosperity via deregulation,” accompanied by an executive order in January mandating that government bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must eliminate at least ten rules for each new regulation implemented.
Toyota initially introduced stop-start systems in the 1970s, and their prevalence has slowly increased over time.
environmental standards
As regulations for vehicle emissions have become more stringent.
When a vehicle comes to a full halt, such as at traffic lights, these systems turn off the car’s internal combustion engine. They then restart the engine once the driver indicates their intention to proceed—typically by depressing either the brake pedal or the clutch.
These systems aim to reduce emissions from parked cars, where idling contributes to approximately 40,000 fatalities annually in the UK, as stated by the Royal College of Physicians.
A frequent query posed by motorists regarding stop-start systems concerns whether these mechanisms might lead to increased fuel consumption, faster depletion of the battery, or greater wear and tear on the engine.
The RAC disputes these claims, citing studies indicating that such systems can enhance fuel efficiency. They explain that vehicles fitted with stop-start technology utilize sensors to guarantee activation only under conditions where the engine won’t sustain harm. Additionally, numerous models feature specially reinforced batteries tailored for this tech, or alternatively, distinct reserve batteries.
Still, many drivers still find the systems frustrating, with a previous appeal by the Telegraph to readers finding that many chose to switch them off when they got into their car.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advocates for carmakers to set stop-start systems to activate automatically and gives higher fuel efficiency ratings to vehicles configured this way.
Nevertheless, Mr. Zeldin strongly supports reducing bureaucratic burdens, contending that the numerous guidelines and laws businesses have to adhere to generate complications and increase product prices for consumers.
He has refuted assertions that eliminating restrictions on pollutants from power plants, like soot, would have an impact.
could cause more damage than benefit
And has threatened to reverse regulations in California aimed at prohibiting the sale of gasoline-powered vehicles.
“We aim to ensure that Americans can enjoy clean air, land, and water,” Mr. Zeldin stated when speaking with the Fox Business Network in March.
That constitutes the initial cornerstone for reigniting the incredible resurgence of America. Concurrently, we must unlock our nation’s full energy potential, advocate for permit reforms, establish the U.S. as the global leader in artificial intelligence, and restore those manufacturing roles in the automotive sector.
The American people made their voices heard loudly and clearly, expressing that they desire this financial assistance, and ultimately, that’s the crux of our discussion.
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