From Fastcompany · · 2m
Congress pushes to keep AM radio in new cars
Lawmakers want to mandate AM radio in vehicles, but automakers say the technology costs money and interferes with electric cars.
In brief
Lawmakers want to mandate AM radio in vehicles, but automakers say the technology costs money and interferes with electric cars. Congress passed legislation requiring AM radio in new vehicles, citing emergency access and cultural value, despite automaker concerns about cost and technical challenges with electric…
Congress backs AM radio mandate
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 979, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of twenty twenty-five. The Senate has a companion bill, S. three fifteen, awaiting a floor vote.
Why Congress wants AM radio kept
More than eighty million Americans listen to AM each month. The National Association of Broadcasters says AM radio provides locally produced content and has historically offered entry into radio ownership for racial and ethnic minorities.
Automakers want to drop AM radio
Some automakers have begun removing AM radio from new vehicles. They cite rising component costs and tariffs as reasons to trim expenses from vehicle production.
Electric vehicles pose technical problem
Electric vehicle makers face a specific challenge. High-voltage electrical systems in EVs generate electromagnetic interference that distorts AM radio signals, affecting the listening experience for drivers and passengers.
The cost of fixing interference
John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, testified that techniques to reduce interference add weight and mess with battery range. The estimated cost is three point eight billion dollars.
“It's not possible to eliminate that interference, and techniques to reduce interference add weight and mess with battery range and would cost an estimated $3.8 billion.”
Interference cannot be fully eliminated
Bozzella stated that it is not possible to eliminate the electromagnetic interference that high-voltage EV systems create. Any reduction techniques would add significant costs and impact vehicle performance.
“It's not possible to eliminate that interference”
AM radio remains culturally important
The National Association of Broadcasters describes AM radio as a platform for locally produced content relevant to audiences and speaking to their unique cultural and linguistic needs.
“a platform for locally produced content that is relevant to their audience and speaks to their unique cultural and linguistic needs”
Modest savings, major debate
Removing AM radio would not shave hundreds or thousands of dollars off a vehicle's price, but it could offer modest savings. The debate continues between lawmakers and automakers over the technology's future.
What to remember
Congress passed legislation requiring AM radio in new vehicles, citing emergency access and cultural value, despite automaker concerns about cost and technical challenges with electric vehicles.
