EPA Ends Credits for Automatic Start-Stop Vehicle Ignition

Zeldin calls the feature 'everyone hates' and says it 'kills the battery' with no environmental benefit

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Environmental Protection Agency announced it is ending credits for automakers who install automatic start-stop ignition systems in vehicles, a feature intended to reduce emissions. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin called the technology the 'Obama switch' and said it makes vehicles 'die' at every stop, claiming it provides no significant environmental benefit and is universally disliked by consumers.

Why it matters

The move aligns with the Trump administration's broader efforts to roll back automotive emissions regulations and clean vehicle initiatives, including eliminating the Biden administration's goal for half of new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030 and ending federal tax credits for electric vehicle purchases.

The details

The start-stop technology automatically shuts down a vehicle's engine when the driver comes to a complete stop, then restarts it when the driver takes their foot off the brake. It was intended to cut idling, fuel consumption and emissions. About two-thirds of vehicles now have the feature, which can provide 7-26% fuel economy savings. However, Zeldin claimed it 'kills the battery' and provides no real environmental benefit.

  • On February 13, 2026, the EPA announced the end of credits for automakers using start-stop technology.
  • In May 2025, Zeldin had previously promised to 'fix' the start-stop feature, calling it where 'your car dies at every red light.'

The players

Lee Zeldin

The current EPA Administrator who announced the end of credits for start-stop technology, calling it the 'Obama switch' and claiming it is universally disliked by consumers.

Donald Trump

The former President who joined Zeldin in announcing the move to end the start-stop credits, part of the administration's broader rollback of automotive emissions regulations and clean vehicle initiatives.

Stellantis

The automaker that makes Jeep vehicles and welcomed the deregulatory effort, saying it supports a 'rational, achievable approach' on fuel economy standards.

Ford Motor Co.

The automaker that said it appreciates the work of Trump and Zeldin to 'address the imbalance between current emissions standards and customer choice.'

John Bozzella

The president of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an industry group, who said the auto industry remains focused on 'preserving vehicle choice for consumers' and 'staying on a long-term path of emissions reductions.'

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What’s next

The administration is also weakening rules for how far new vehicles must travel on average on a gallon of gasoline as it undermines the climate regulation at the core of auto tailpipe emissions.

The takeaway

This move is part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to roll back automotive emissions regulations and clean vehicle initiatives, prioritizing consumer choice over environmental concerns and undoing policies implemented during the previous administration.