House Committee Passes Bill Mandating AM Radio in New Cars

The bill, named the AM for Every Vehicle Act, mandates the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to introduce a rule requiring automakers to include AM broadcast radio in their vehicles without imposing any separate or additional charges.

Proponents of the bill express concerns that the gradual decline of AM radio could hinder the dissemination of emergency information during natural disasters or similar events. Conservatives are also apprehensive about losing a beneficial platform for right-wing news and media.

With the hurricane season ongoing, Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass), a co-author of the bill, emphasized the urgency of passing the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act to ensure this vital communication tool remains available in vehicles. He noted that the bill has garnered support from 60 co-sponsors in the Senate, ensuring a filibuster-proof majority.

In recent years, several automakers have released new models without AM radio capabilities, particularly electric vehicles from companies like Tesla, Polestar, and Rivian. These manufacturers argue that AM radio is incompatible with electric vehicles (EVs) due to electromagnetic interference from the powertrain. Tesla first presented this argument when they removed AM radio from their vehicles in 2018. Ford initially planned to omit AM radio from the 2024 Mustang but later reversed the decision following pressure from lawmakers.

AM, or amplitude modulation, is fundamentally different from FM, or frequency modulation, in how the carrier wave is modulated. Amplitude modulation can be affected by noise emitted from electronic devices, including smartphones, TVs, computers, and EVs. This interference can result in distortion and crackling when picked up by the radio.

Some automakers consider AM radio to be an outdated technology, suggesting that better alternatives, such as internet streaming, HD radio on FM bands, or apps offering AM content, can replace its absence in vehicles.

Critics argue that the bill may increase the production costs of EVs, which many manufacturers are already striving to control. Albert Gore, executive director of the Zero Emission Transportation Association, pointed out in an interview earlier this year that a new mandate would necessitate significant redesigns of powertrains and vehicles due to the extent of electromagnetic interference generated by electric motors.

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