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GM to Equip Stop-Start Tech in Nearly All of its Vehicles by 2020

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General Motors has a plan to introduce stop-start engine technology in nearly all of its vehicles by 2020

General Motors currently uses stop-start engine tech in eleven of its vehicles
Photo: © Don Harder

The General Motors Company plans to include stop-start engine technology in nearly every light vehicle model it sells globally by the conclusion of this decade.

This decision was made after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it would award credits, beginning in 2017, toward compliance with Corporate Fuel Economy Standards (CAFE) to automakers that include stop-start systems in its vehicles.

“Everyone will end up adding start-stop,” says AutoPacific analyst Dave Sullivan told Automotive News (subscription required). “Now there’s a benefit in the EPA cycle, which there wasn’t a few years ago. GM’s new nine- and 10-speed automatic transmissions have been engineered from the beginning to incorporate start-stop. That will make it much easier and much smoother.”

If you don’t already know how stop-start technology works, this technology automatically shuts off the engine when it determines the vehicle isn’t moving–like when it’s stopped at a red light–then automatically turns the engine back on as soon as the driver takes their foot off of the brake. Furthermore, this advanced technology will add approximately $300 to the vehicle’s overall cost and can improve fuel economy by as much as 6% when driving in the city.

To ensure its vehicles will start smoothly and quickly, GM vehicles with stop-start systems will use absorbent glass mat (AGM) batteries and tandem solenoid starters. These AGM batteries remain sealed and are even more efficient than typical lead-acid car batteries.

Current General Motors’ models that feature stop-start technology include the 2017 Cadillac XT5, Cadillac ATS, and the Cadillac CTS.

Video: Stop-Start Engine Technology Explained

News Source: Automotive News (subscription required)