The Start/Stop Button

[RodorW]

I know that we have talked multiple times on this forum about the on/off (start/stop) button. Personally, I don't think it's necessary, but I have heard the use cases for some people who want it, but looking at the bigger picture, this is why I wanted to start a new thread specifically on this topic.

In the bigger picture, start/stop buttons on electric vehicles are not really necessary, and going forward from Gen 1 to Gen 2, If the start/stop button makes it into Gen 1, how likely is it to make it into Gen 2? And I know a bunch of people have said that coming from an ice vehicle, they're used to the start/stop button and it's just more accommodating and comfortable. However, there's really no way around the button being a band-aid situation, whether it's Gen 1 or Gen 2. If Scout removes it, it's going to be a thing that people just have to get used to, whereas in Gen 1, if Scout makes it optional, (either physically or in software) a lot of people will choose to use it and then, going into Gen 2, if there is no button, it's going to be the Band-Aid again. It's going to get yanked off (sooner or later), and it's going to be a whole thing.

So my shower thought of the day, because I really hate the button in my Bolt, is this. Instead of having an on/off (start/Stop) dedicated button, Scout should move it from the steering wheel to somewhere on the dash or somewhere out of the way and make it a dedicated auxiliary button. This could be used to tell the vehicle to just stay on, or maybe like a physical "dog mode" button, but it would be out of the way and fully optional, for those (like myself) who would prefer a "get in and go" experience.

Or it could be an auxiliary switch for something else like, For example a "software reboot". In my car, I've been having issues with Android Auto. If I walk too far away with the car "on", it refuses to reconnect to the phone, while it's showing that it's connected. The only way to resolve this is to power down the car and wait at least 2 minutes for it to cycle everything to "offline", then I can turn it back on and reconnect. The issue with this is that I don't always have 2 minutes, and the Gen 2 bolt has no way to force a simple reboot. I know holding the button for about 15 seconds, the car will enter service mode, but not reboot. In Rivian (and tesla I believe), you hold two buttons on the wheel until a reboot warning pops up and keep holding to confirm. So why not make this button an easy software reboot; Vehicle in park, at 0 MPH, hold it for a set amount of time to reboot the software, and with that, it can still double as a 1-second press to tell the vehicle to stay on or maybe shut off if you want to sit in silence with no screens or lights.

 

[J Alynn]

Just remember nearly everyone buying a Harvester is just a bandaid too but I digress

 

[Scout_Lookout]

No start button. I've said this before, but when I was shopping for my next vehicle I shopped the current EV trucks on sale today, and honestly my decision came down to just two, the Rivian and the Hummer EV. I will say that my initial first pick was the Hummer because of the size, removable roof panels, lowering back glass, and range.

However it had one major flaw that I could not stand and that was a start button. I was coming from a Tesla so I was very use to not having a start button, and on the test drive alone I forgot three times to hit the start/stop button including leaving the key fob, (I'm use to having my phone only but that's for the keyless debate lol) in the truck and left the truck on when we went back inside after the drive to look at numbers.

But then I drove the Rivian and I knew instantly this decision became even clearer that I never wanted another start button and or key fob again. I greatly underestimated the Rivian, the features it has, the range was much higher than I initially thought, and the quality far exceeded that of the Hummer.

I'll close with this, for 2026 the Hummer EV made a big change to the vehicle and guess what it was? NO START BUTTON!
This alone proves that its not needed and if GMC can put people into Hummer EV's without one, SM will be able to as well easily.

 

[speedrye]

I haven't paid much attention to this debate as I don't care that much, but I do find myself sitting in a vehicle waiting on my wife and I like everything off. I don't care about a start button, but is there an easy way to power everything down in an EV while I'm still sitting in it?

 

[RodorW]

I haven't paid much attention to this debate as I don't care that much, but I do find myself sitting in a vehicle waiting on my wife and I like everything off. I don't care about a start button, but is there an easy way to power everything down in an EV while I'm still sitting in it?

I know GMs offerings no longer carry a start/stop button, you get in the vehicle connects with the fob, foot on brake and you’re ready to go, and while many a YouTube channel complains about no shut off, there is. If I’m not mistaken, it ann ever present button on the infotainment system. One press to open a sub menu, a second press to confirm your choice and the vehicle will shut down.

 

[ScoutbyScoutwest]

I haven't paid much attention to this debate as I don't care that much, but I do find myself sitting in a vehicle waiting on my wife and I like everything off. I don't care about a start button, but is there an easy way to power everything down in an EV while I'm still sitting in it?

I feel the same about this debate, and I am also curious about if is there an easy way to power everything down in an EV while still sitting in it and also the opposite. Is there an easy way to keep an EV powered on if not sitting in it? Scenarios would include but not be limited to using high-drain 12V devices such as heavy-duty air compressors or running a winch while not in the vehicle.

 

[Scout_Lookout]

I haven't paid much attention to this debate as I don't care that much, but I do find myself sitting in a vehicle waiting on my wife and I like everything off. I don't care about a start button, but is there an easy way to power everything down in an EV while I'm still sitting in it?

I feel the same about this debate, and I am also curious about if is there an easy way to power everything down in an EV while still sitting in it and also the opposite. Is there an easy way to keep an EV powered on if not sitting in it? Scenarios would include but not be limited to using high-drain 12V devices such as heavy-duty air compressors or running a winch while not in the vehicle.

This is interesting to read. One of my favorite parts about having an EV is being able to sit in it watch youtube or play games while i'm sitting in it waiting for the ball game start/end, rain delays, or while the wife is in the store shopping. This is especially true in the heat of summer, where I can sit with the A/C and cool seats on if I want as well.

To answer the questions though, yes there is a way you can power off both a Tesla and a Rivian via the infotainment screen. As far as any of the other EV's on the market I'm not sure about.

 

[RodorW]

This is interesting to read. One of my favorite parts about having an EV is being able to sit in it watch youtube or play games while i'm sitting in it waiting for the ball game start/end, rain delays, or while the wife is in the store shopping. This is especially true in the heat of summer, where I can sit with the A/C and cool seats on if I want as well.

To answer the questions though, yes there is a way you can power off both a Tesla and a Rivian via the infotainment screen. As far as any of the other EV's on the market I'm not sure about.

I’m pretty sure it’s a regulation thing so even if there is no physical start/stop button there has to be a way to tell the vehicle you want it turned off. like I said I know GM offers it through the infotainment system now.

As for the other question of being able to leave the vehicle on depending on the vehicle, there are ways to do it some easier than others such as dog mode. I’m not sure how Ford does it in the lightning with the power export on the back, but I do know if you want a GM vehicle without a button to stay on you get in tap the accelerator three times than the break I believe it will flash a notification and it will stay on until you tell it to turn off or until it dies

 

[RodorW]

Scout has shown a camp mode that would keep power export on if you wanted to use your scout as a generator for your campsite. Obviously that is not guaranteed to make production, but it has been shown at this point.

 

[R1TVT]

With SW, settings and different modes (like Camp Mode) you can do all kinds of variations on "OFF". Definition of OFF in an EV is different than turning a mechanical engine off, then have the 12 V battery ON.

That is the nice thing about modern vehciles... There can be many different variations to what is ON and what is OFF. And a START / STOP Button is needed for none of it.

 

[strider]

I feel the same about this debate, and I am also curious about if is there an easy way to power everything down in an EV while still sitting in it and also the opposite. Is there an easy way to keep an EV powered on if not sitting in it? Scenarios would include but not be limited to using high-drain 12V devices such as heavy-duty air compressors or running a winch while not in the vehicle.

There is absolutely a way to completely power down an EV without a dedicated button. I do this when I'm cleaning the interior. I open all of the doors and then tell it to shutdown. In a Tesla it's a couple of on-screen presses. You can also tell it to stay running. In a Tesla there is a "Keep" function that keeps the car running after you get out. There is also "Dog" mode where the car puts a message on the display that tells anyone passing by that the driver will be back soon and shows the current interior temp. Finally there is a "Camp" mode which powers down the screens but leaves the HVAC on.

As for accessories, the beauty of the Scout (and other EV trucks) is that you have those nice 120V and 240V AC outlets back there to run your tools.

I will echo @RodorW to please avoid a dedicated button. GM's used to have buttons but they have removed them in current vehicles because they served no purpose.

For those folks that need a start button for continuity with your other ICE vehicles, get one of these. Seriously. $12

DECORATIVE FAKE ENGINE START DUMMY KIT BUTTON BADGE | eBay

NOTE : This is just a dummy button, It cannot work as a engine start Button !!

www.ebay.com

 

[J Alynn]

There is absolutely a way to completely power down an EV without a dedicated button. I do this when I'm cleaning the interior. I open all of the doors and then tell it to shutdown. In a Tesla it's a couple of on-screen presses. You can also tell it to stay running. In a Tesla there is a "Keep" function that keeps the car running after you get out. There is also "Dog" mode where the car puts a message on the display that tells anyone passing by that the driver will be back soon and shows the current interior temp. Finally there is a "Camp" mode which powers down the screens but leaves the HVAC on.

As for accessories, the beauty of the Scout (and other EV trucks) is that you have those nice 120V and 240V AC outlets back there to run your tools.

I will echo @RodorW to please avoid a dedicated button. GM's used to have buttons but they have removed them in current vehicles because they served no purpose.

For those folks that need a start button for continuity with your other ICE vehicles, get one of these. Seriously. $12

DECORATIVE FAKE ENGINE START DUMMY KIT BUTTON BADGE | eBay

NOTE : This is just a dummy button, It cannot work as a engine start Button !!

www.ebay.com

The irony of these debates is the button is there already as part of the design and Scout has been clear (and VW following suit) that touch points are important and critical to the EV side of the brands. For every no button there is also a yes and my hunch is since it’s already there it’s a bigger fight to remove than to keep it. I’d rather see it be a slate blue button with orange scout logo and allow it to program for start or to turn UI screen dark , etc…

 

[RodorW]

The irony of these debates is the button is there already as part of the design and Scout has been clear (and VW following suit) that touch points are important and critical to the EV side of the brands. For every no button there is also a yes and my hunch is since it’s already there it’s a bigger fight to remove than to keep it. I’d rather see it be a slate blue button with orange scout logo and allow it to program for start or to turn UI screen dark , etc…

Honestly I hadn’t thought to much about it, but if it could be used to turn on detox while driving that would be a much better use.

Realistically on/off buttons just aren’t necessary in EVs I get physical controls throughout the rest of the vehicle, but the on off button is very unnecessary especially for EV drivers coming from other EV’s. It’s likely going to be a regression. I still feel like the button existing in these concepts is part of a design philosophy from the year that design of these new scouts started.

Regardless of whether it’s there on the final version of these trucks or not, it’s impossible to please everybody, but if it’s going to be there, hopefully scout is listening and will make it optional. If you’re coming from a ICEV you won’t feel that sort of difference but if you’re coming from a Rivian or a Tesla or these newer GM EV‘s it’s going to be a regression and you’re going to have to relearn a step.

I’m somewhere in the middle as I have experience without the button, but my daily driver that is EV has the button, so I can go either way, but I would prefer without the button.

EV’s are pretty much always on so after you get used to that mentally knowing that your car is capable of being ready when you get in, it begins to really make you question the unnecessary step of “turning it on”

The one newer, GM EV that I’ve driven did not turn on when I open the door. It did initiate with the little animation welcoming me into the vehicle, but the gauge and screens did not power on until I put my foot on the break, so at least in that vehicle the button for turning the vehicle on just moved to the brake pedal. It still needs a handshake with the key fob and then a switch, which was the brake pedal and then to turn it off. It’s just a few taps on the infotainment or you get out walk away, and it will shut down as long as the key is with you

 

[R1TVT]

The irony of these debates is the button is there already as part of the design and Scout has been clear (and VW following suit) that touch points are important and critical

Agreed, but I think they meant for actual functional things that needed buttons... ;-)

 

[6-ScoutFamily]

In all the discussion about the button, I have yet to see any talk about what happens when someone needs to make an emergency getaway.

 

[Scoutsie]

Touch screens are kind of useless for people with disabilities because there’s no tactile feedback. If you have, say, a visual, motor, or neurological disability, a physical button does you more good than a flat surface or just nothing. You need some sense of control.

 

[J Alynn]

Honestly I hadn’t thought to much about it, but if it could be used to turn on detox while driving that would be a much better use.

Realistically on/off buttons just aren’t necessary in EVs I get physical controls throughout the rest of the vehicle, but the on off button is very unnecessary especially for EV drivers coming from other EV’s. It’s likely going to be a regression. I still feel like the button existing in these concepts is part of a design philosophy from the year that design of these new scouts started.

Regardless of whether it’s there on the final version of these trucks or not, it’s impossible to please everybody, but if it’s going to be there, hopefully scout is listening and will make it optional. If you’re coming from a ICEV you won’t feel that sort of difference but if you’re coming from a Rivian or a Tesla or these newer GM EV‘s it’s going to be a regression and you’re going to have to relearn a step.

I’m somewhere in the middle as I have experience without the button, but my daily driver that is EV has the button, so I can go either way, but I would prefer without the button.

EV’s are pretty much always on so after you get used to that mentally knowing that your car is capable of being ready when you get in, it begins to really make you question the unnecessary step of “turning it on”

The one newer, GM EV that I’ve driven did not turn on when I open the door. It did initiate with the little animation welcoming me into the vehicle, but the gauge and screens did not power on until I put my foot on the break, so at least in that vehicle the button for turning the vehicle on just moved to the brake pedal. It still needs a handshake with the key fob and then a switch, which was the brake pedal and then to turn it off. It’s just a few taps on the infotainment or you get out walk away, and it will shut down as long as the key is with you

Sounds like you are OK with the button then-Perfect!

 

[RodorW]

Sounds like you are OK with the button then-Perfect!

I’m okay with a button existing, but if I have a choice. I’m axing the start/stop entirely, but I did mention the possibility of making it something more “auxiliary” in the original post. But for me a after one day in a Rivian EDV at Amazon, I was over keys and push starts

 

[oldgeeksguide]

I don’t want to be at the mercy of someone else’s algorithm to decide when I want my vehicle powered on or off, I want to decide and all I need is a button to turn it on or off. I’m fine if someone else wants to set it so it’s automatic and they don’t want to have to use the button, that’s fine, but I’m tired of the attitude being expressed repeatedly on the subject. It’s clear a number of you don’t get it, or haven’t searched through the collection to see the myriad of examples of situations where people need or want a power button. Stop acting like anybody who has a different perspective or different needs is just “clueless” or “a dinosaur”. Spend some time in the search bar, or maybe just show a little respect and humility. I respect your opinion, for you a power button isn’t something you need; I believe you. Maybe you could do the same?

 

[RodorW]

As someone that has talked on many different threads about the button, This dedicated thread feels very needed, pooling thoughts and opinions into one place the Scout teams can possibly see.

As stated above I’ve seen some peoples reasonings and that is why I think this thread can hold real value. It’s also why my personal proposal isn’t to delete the button, but move it off the wheel (remove the start/stop text) and give it optional functionality or alternative use possibilities, but have it’s default as the “ignition switch”. Those that like that can keep it that way, others could use it to quickly activate dog mode before exiting the vehicle, and others never touch it at all.

Though if scout does keep the button, regardless of overall purpose, a press and hold for 15-30 seconds should initiate the reboot process and not holding two-three different buttons around the cab.

That said there’s not really an algorithm to it, (in GM anyway) if you and your key are present the vehicle is ready to boot and go, if you sit with it on and don’t shift for 1-2 hours it shuts off, unless you do the triple press, or if you haven’t done that when you and the key leave a certain radius the vehicle “shuts down”, but there is a power button on the screen so if you need, you can tell it to power off. It’s really no different than any other vehicle they make with the push start button, only without the little plastic nuisance..(the button in my car has tendency to not register being pressed some 10-20% of the time, I do think that’s just my car, but felt the need to clarify calling it that)