EPA Ends Credits for Auto Start-Stop Feature in Cars

The agency says the move will motivate automakers to build vehicles based on what Americans actually want.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has eliminated a greenhouse gas credit program that incentivized automakers to include automatic start-stop systems in vehicles. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated the move will motivate automakers to manufacture cars based on what Americans 'actually want in their cars', rather than relying on the off-cycle credit created during the Obama administration.

Why it matters

The start-stop feature, which automatically shuts off a vehicle's engine when stopped to save fuel, has been unpopular with many American drivers. Eliminating the credit program that encouraged its adoption aims to shift automaker priorities back towards building vehicles aligned with consumer preferences.

The details

The off-cycle credit program was established in 2012 by the Obama administration to allow automakers to claim greenhouse gas credits for adding features like start-stop systems. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated that this credit was 'almost universally hated' by American car buyers, and its elimination will now motivate automakers to focus on manufacturing vehicles based on actual consumer demand rather than relying on regulatory incentives.

  • The EPA announced the elimination of the start-stop credit program on February 12, 2026.

The players

Lee Zeldin

The current Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who joined Zeldin in the announcement.

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What they’re saying

“EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin eliminated the off-cycle credit that was used to implement the almost universally hated start-stop feature in American vehicles.”

— Lee Zeldin, EPA Administrator (EPA Statement)

The takeaway

This decision by the EPA aims to shift automaker priorities away from features like start-stop that may meet regulatory requirements but are unpopular with many American drivers. The move signals a broader effort to align the automotive industry's product development more closely with consumer preferences.