Congress Advances Bill That Would Force EVs to Have AM Radio
The proposed mandate aims to ensure emergency broadcast reliability during power outages or network failures.
A bill advancing through Congress would require electric vehicles to include AM radio receivers, reversing a trend among manufacturers to drop the analog band in favor of digital streaming and FM.
What Happened
Legislators are moving forward with federal requirements that would mandate the inclusion of AM radio hardware in new electric vehicles. The proposal stems from concerns that the removal of AM capabilities in modern EVs could hinder access to emergency information during critical situations, such as natural disasters or grid failures where cellular networks and internet connectivity are compromised.
Why It Matters
For automakers, this mandate would necessitate a redesign of infotainment systems and potentially increase manufacturing costs, as many EV manufacturers have already phased out AM tuners to save space and reduce complexity. For consumers, particularly those in rural areas or regions prone to severe weather, the requirement ensures a fallback method for receiving local news and emergency alerts that does not rely on data connectivity or satellite signals.
The Bottom Line
If passed, the legislation would standardize AM radio availability in the US EV market, prioritizing analog emergency communication reliability over the digital-first trends adopted by many manufacturers.
