LaMalfa Introduces the ESSENTIAL Act to End Automatic Engine Start-Stop Mandates

Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) introduced H.R. 6200, the Eliminating Start-Stop Engine Nuisance Technologies that Impair Automobile Life (ESSENTIAL) Act, which would end federal mandates and incentives that push automatic engine start-stop systems in cars and trucks.

“One of the most annoying features in many new cars is the engine automatically turning off at stoplights and stop signs. Not only does this make the car feel like it’s stalled, but it causes a delay in acceleration as the engine restarts,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “This unnecessary feature with minimal environmental and mileage benefits wears out engine components faster, and pushing a button to turn it off every time a driver starts the car is not a solution. This bill gets rid of Federal interference that requires vehicle manufacturers to put this start-stop nuisance in cars and trucks, which should help actually improve safety and reduce maintenance costs.”

Without direct congressional authorization, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) created “off-cycle technology credits” in 2010 as part of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel economy standards. These credits effectively reward automakers for installing automatic start-stop technology, a feature that automatically shuts off and restarts engines at stoplights or in traffic, as part of compliance with federal emissions rules.

The EPA is currently working to repeal existing GHG emissions standards as part of its broader effort to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding on greenhouse gases. NHTSA has similarly proposed ending the off-cycle credit program in its recent fuel economy rulemakings. The ESSENTIAL Act complements those actions by ensuring these burdensome mandates are fully repealed and cannot be reinstated.

The ESSENTIAL Act would:

• Require the EPA Administrator and Secretary of Transportation to repeal or rescind any rule, policy, or program that incentivizes or requires automakers to install automatic engine start-stop systems in cars and trucks;
• Prohibit those agencies from issuing any similar rule in the future;
• Allow exceptions only for measures designed to prevent or reduce carbon monoxide poisoning; and,
• Require reports to Congress on implementation progress.

Automatic engine start-stop technology has been widely criticized for causing wear on vehicle components, including starters, alternators, and batteries. It can also reduce the effectiveness of air conditioning systems when the engine shuts off, and it often cannot be permanently disabled by the driver.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

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