House passes bill requiring AM radio in new vehicles

Key facts

• Legislation requiring new vehicles to include AM radio passed the House of Representatives.
• The bill, known as the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, would direct the NHTSA to mandate AM radio as standard equipment.
• Proponents argue AM radio is crucial for emergency information due to its long-distance signal.
• Several automakers, including BMW, Rivian, and Tesla, have removed AM receivers from new vehicles.
• Ford had previously removed AM radio from some vehicles but has since reversed its decision.
• The bill now heads to the Senate, where a similar version has secured 60 co-sponsors.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation that would require automakers to include AM radio in new vehicles, a move supported by a rare bipartisan consensus. The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, approved overwhelmingly on Wednesday, directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to mandate AM radio as standard equipment at no additional cost to consumers. Proponents, including emergency responders and former FEMA administrators, argue that AM radio is a vital communication tool, especially during emergencies, due to its long-distance signal capabilities.

The bill now proceeds to the Senate, where a similar version has garnered significant support with 60 co-sponsors, indicating a strong likelihood of passage. Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who co-sponsored the Senate bill, celebrated the House vote, emphasizing AM radio's importance for communication, sports, and news.

This legislative push comes as a growing number of automakers, particularly EV manufacturers like BMW, Rivian, and Tesla, have been phasing out traditional AM receivers. They cite electromagnetic interference from electric motors as a reason for degraded signal and audio quality. Ford had also removed AM radio from some models but has since reinstated it. Rivian's R2 SUV, for instance, offers AM/FM radio through digital platforms like iHeartRadio, while its R1S and R1T models provide digital access to FM content.