Printer-friendly version
Update: Ford CEO Jim Farley has announced that Ford will reverse its earlier decision to eliminate AM radios and will offer a software program to restore AM access to owners of Ford electric vehicles sold without AM radio, NPR reports.
By Miriam Raftery
May 20, 2023 (Washington D.C.) – 
Many electric vehicle manufacturers have removed AM radio from their current and future models, claiming interference with electric motors can cause buzzing noises and faded signals. Those that have already removed AM radios from electric vehicles include Tesla, Ford, Mazda, BMW, Volkswagen, Volvo, Polestar and Rivian.
But during emergency broadcasts, AM radio is often the only source of information for the public. So this week, a bipartisan group of Congressional members introduced a bill that would prohibit automakers from eliminating AM broadcast radio in their new vehicles, citing safety concerns. Vehicle makers would also have to notify consumers if a vehicle already purchased does not have AM radio reception.
Jan Hedlun, a resident in rural Potrero in San Diego’s East County, told ECM, “I listen to AM 600 on the way to work…Since back country folks rely heavily on AM for emergency info, it is unnerving that they want to remove that vital link.”
WABC radio started a petition on Change.org which notes that AM Radio is part of the Emergency Alert System, “so critical life saving information during hurricanes, floods, blackouts and other disasters are delivered to you via AM Radio.” The petition faults elimination of AM radio as a “profit motivated move by car manufacturers” that is “dangerous.” The petition urges that AM radio be retained in all vehicles.
Besides emergency broadcasts, local radio station are also vital sources of community news, sports broadcasts, and other information valued by consumers.
Around 50 million people listen to AM radio nationwide, according to Nielsen statistics shared by the National Association of Broadcasters, Axios reports.
The legislation introduced May 17 by Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass), Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and others would require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to mandate that all new vehicles to provide AM radio at no cost, require carmakers to notify vehicle purchases if a vehicle already sold lacks AM radio, and require the Government Accounting Office to study whether alternative communication systems are as effective at reaching the public during emergencies.
Representative Josh Gottheimer, a cosponsor of the bill, stated, "If Elon Musk has enough money to buy Twitter and send rockets to space, he can afford to include AM radio in his Teslas. Instead, Elon Musk and Tesla and other car manufacturers are putting public safety and emergency response at risk," Reuters reports.
Federal Communications Commission chair Jessica Rosenworcel praised the bill, saying "There is a clear public safety imperative here. Having AM radio available in our cars means we always have access to emergency alerts and key warnings while we are out on the road."
Manufacturers contend that motorists can still access AM radio shows through digital streaming packages or smartphone apps. But such services may require subscriptions, and cell phone service often fails during natural disasters such as wildfires, as has occurred multiple times in San Diego’s East County.
The bill is opposed by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group representing major automakers, said " Congress has never mandated radio features in vehicles ever before. Automakers remain 100 percent committed to ensuring drivers have access to public alerts and safety warnings."
The automakers cited the Integrated Public Alerts and Warning System that in theory can broadcast alerts over other platforms such as satellite radio, cell phones and FM radio – but those are often not available to motorists in rural areas, particularly during disasters that may damage infrastructure.
Recent comments