U.S. Lawmakers Push for AM Radio Mandate in New Vehicles
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act with bipartisan support, requiring automakers to include AM radio as standard equipment in new vehicles at no extra cost. The legislation now moves to the Senate and is backed by emergency responder groups and former FEMA administrators who argue that AM radio provides critical communication during emergencies due to its long-range signal capabilities. Automakers like Tesla, Rivian, BMW, and Volvo have increasingly moved away from traditional AM receivers in favor of digital streaming services. However, Ford recently reversed a decision to remove AM radio from some models. The bill has strong support with 60 co-sponsors in the Senate, led by Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who chair the relevant committee. The legislation aims to ensure that AM remains accessible for emergency alerts as well as entertainment purposes. Automakers have cited interference from electric motors affecting AM signals as a reason for phasing out traditional receivers, but proponents argue this is not an insurmountable issue.
Topics: AM radio automotive industry bipartisanship emergency communication