Controversy Brewing as Congress Pushes for AM Radios in All New Cars
Via Variety
Summary
In May 2023, bipartisan legislation dubbed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act was introduced in both the House and Senate, requiring all new passenger vehicles to include AM broadcast radio as standard equipment at no additional charge. The bill was prompted by a growing trend among electric vehicle manufacturers — led by Tesla — to drop AM radio from their cars, citing electromagnetic interference between AM signals and electric drivetrains.
Supporters argued that AM radio is a critical component of the national Emergency Alert System, capable of reaching millions of Americans during disasters when cell networks fail. The legislation enjoyed an unusual coalition spanning conservative talk radio audiences and progressive emergency-preparedness advocates. Critics, including some automakers, pushed back on the mandate, arguing that alternative alert systems were sufficient and that the interference problems in EVs were genuine engineering challenges.
