AM radio could soon be mandatory in new US cars

The US House of Representatives passed legislation with rare bipartisan support that would require new vehicles to include AM radio as standard equipment. The move, driven by public safety concerns, directly challenges automakers' plans to phase out the technology to cut costs and improve electric vehicle efficiency.

Context: from extinction to legislative rescue

In recent years, manufacturers like Tesla, BMW, and Volkswagen stopped offering AM radio in their EVs, citing electromagnetic interference from electric motors. This trend alarmed lawmakers and the radio industry, who fear losing a critical emergency communication channel. The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act emerged as a direct response to that concern.

Details: what exactly the House approved

The legislation, which passed by a vote of 342 to 86, directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a rule requiring all new vehicles to have an AM radio receiver at no extra cost to consumers. The rule would apply to passenger cars, trucks, and buses, with fines for noncompliance reaching $100,000 per vehicle. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it faces a tougher but still bipartisan battle.

Analysis: who wins and who loses

The winners are clear: the AM radio industry, emergency services, and millions of drivers in rural areas where cell coverage is spotty. The losers: automakers, who will have to redesign components and absorb additional costs, and innovation advocates who see this as regulatory overreach into product design. My take: public safety justifies the move, but Congress should have also demanded technical improvements to make AM reception work well in EVs, rather than simply mandating outdated tech without fixing its flaws.

Implications: the future of car radio

If the Senate passes the bill, automakers will have until 2026 to adapt their production lines, potentially delaying some EV launches. Beyond the US, the measure could set a global precedent: will other countries follow suit to ensure emergency communication resilience? The decision also reopens the debate over whether cars should be software platforms or simple vehicles with legally guaranteed basic functions.

Source: TechCrunch