US Government Will Stop Pollution-Reduction Credits for Cars With 'Start-Stop' Systems

Source: Slashdot

Background

Starting in 2009, the U.S. government gave car manufacturers credits toward reducing greenhouse‑gas emissions if they included “start‑stop” systems in internal‑combustion‑engine cars. These systems automatically shut off idling engines to reduce pollution and fuel consumption.

EPA Decision

This week the new head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency eliminated the credits, reports Car and Driver. The EPA previously supported the system’s effectiveness, noting it could improve fuel economy by as much as 5 %. The use of these systems has never been mandated for automakers in the United States; companies have installed them on all vehicles to receive off‑cycle credits. Virtually every new vehicle on sale also allows drivers to turn the feature off via a hard button. Despite this, the EPA is moving against the system.

“I absolutely hate Start‑Stop systems,” writes long‑time Slashdot reader sinij, who says they “specifically shopped for a car without one.”