Top MAGA ally goes viral with promise to kill unpopular car feature
A new proposal from Environmental Protection agency director Lee Zeldin went viral after he promised to get rid of one frustrating feature in new vehicles.
'Start/stop technology: where your car dies at every red light so companies get a climate participation trophy,' Zeldin wrote on social media. 'EPA approved it, and everyone hates it, so we're fixing it.'
Zeldin's post on X went viral with eight million views, 11,000 reposts, and 92,000 likes in 24 hours.
The auto start/stop technology was integrated in most vehicles by 2020 as a way for automakers to reach Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.
The feature ensured the vehicle turns off the engine every time it comes to a complete stop and automatically restarts when the accelerator pedal is pressed.
By making it a standard feature that automatically turned on, the EPA allowed automakers to claim fuel economy benefits that did not appear in the overall air quality standards.
But drivers who hate the feature, have voiced frustration that they are required to turn it off every time they start their vehicle.
Zeldin's announcement drew immediate support from drivers across the political spectrum.
'Not only does your car die at every red light, so does your air conditioning,' wrote author and journalist Michael Barone. 'Makes it uncomfortable waiting 3 minutes for the green arrows in places like Florida.'
'If Trump gets this done, he belongs on Mount Rushmore,' wrote influencer Matt Van Swol.
'Yes!! I can verify, as a car salesman, nearly everybody hates it. From personal testing, for most it doesn't save much anyway. 900 miles in a month, 0.02 gal saved,' car salesmen Litizen Jeff wrote. 'Also, it's unsafe (e.g. stalling out briefly in the center lane as you're about to make a left turn.)'
'Please do. It breaks cars. Our Honda would stall and not start leaving us in vulnerable situations. Also, it makes cars hesitate when you are pulling out across traffic. It's dangerous,' wrote Matt Nachtrab.
'Bless you, Lee Zeldin. Auto stop-start in a Southern summer is basically attempted manslaughter by climate control. Let the engine run and the AC blow; our lives depend on it!' wrote Darren Montgomery on X.
'THANK YOU! We had to replace our battery *much* earlier because of this feature! Increased demand for car batteries aren't any better for the environment,' wrote Freda Drake.
'Thank God... this start/stop crap came out of nowhere and is just ridiculous. The stuff that has been thrust upon us. No one asked for it, no one wants it,' wrote the account Dread Pirate Roberts. 'Thank you, Lee Zeldin!'
It's unclear exactly how Zeldin plans to address the issue, but widespread support for the idea indicated it will be a priority.
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