A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the United States has introduced a bill that would prevent automakers from removing AM radio from their new vehicles. The legislation is being introduced because of safety concerns, as at least eight automakers have removed AM radio from their vehicles, especially electric vehicles, including Tesla, BMW, Ford and Volkswagen. The bill would require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue regulations mandating AM radio in new vehicles at no additional charge.
Democratic Sen. Edward Markey, one of the bill’s sponsors, said the loss of AM radio undermines a federal system for delivering key public safety information to the public. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group representing major automakers, disagrees with the bill, saying it is not necessary to mandate AM radio in all vehicles. They also noted that Congress had never before mandated radio features for vehicles. Automakers remain committed to ensuring that drivers have access to public alerts and safety warnings through other means, such as the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) which can distribute warnings to via AM, FM, internet-based or satellite radio and via mobile networks. .
The bill’s sponsors include Senators Ted Cruz, Tammy Baldwin, Deb Fischer, Ben Ray Luján, JD Vance and Representative Josh Gottheimer. Gottheimer criticized Elon Musk and Tesla for not including AM radio in their vehicles, stating that if Musk has enough money to buy Twitter and send rockets into space, he can afford to include AM radio in his Teslas. Tesla did not immediately comment on the matter.
Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel praised the bill, saying that having AM radio available in cars means people always have access to emergency alerts and key warnings while on the road.
The debate over whether or not to mandate AM radio in new vehicles highlights the ongoing competition between different communication options and changing audiences. While some argue that AM radio is a crucial part of public safety, others believe that there are alternative means of sending emergency alerts and warnings. Ultimately, it will be up to lawmakers and regulators to decide whether or not to mandate AM radio in new vehicles.