Congress to Mandate Old Tech in All New Vehicles

• With sufficient backing in both the US Senate and the US House of Representatives, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act is poised to become law.
• Proponents have claimed that AM radio provides advantages to rural communities by ensuring ongoing access to emergency alerts and agricultural updates.
• However, the band has largely stepped away from radio airwaves in many regions across the globe, including most of Europe, with minimal negative consequences.

The Act for AM Radio in Every Vehicle is on track to pass, having gained 60 co-sponsors in the US Senate (S.315) and 242 in the U.S. House (where it isH.R. 979). The Senate's Commerce Committee approved the bill in February, and its backing in the full Senate isconsidered filibuster-proof.

Citing the importance of AM radio for older Americans as a means of receiving emergency alerts and agricultural updates, the bill would compel the Department of Transportation (DOT) to create a regulation mandating that vehicles manufactured in the U.S. or imported into the country be equipped with devices capable of receiving and playing content from AM stations or digital audio AM stations. These features should be included as standard equipment and readily available to drivers.

AM is one of the few issues that hasn't turned into a major political debate, with its two primary Senate sponsors being Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Ed Markey (D-MA). When the bill reached 60 co-sponsors in the upper chamber, Cruz and Markey stated in an April 1 release, "From emergency response to sports, entertainment, and news, AM radio serves as a vital connection for tens of millions of Americans."

AM as a Lifeline

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) shares this view. As stated by NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt, “For over a hundred years, AM radio has served as a vital link, providing reliable news, local sports, agricultural updates, and critical emergency information exactly when and where it's needed most. From rural areas to city hubs, from emergency personnel to daily travelers, more than 80 million Americans depend on this free, community-based service to remain informed and secure each month.”

Senator Markey told Tech Bytes Labthat the legislation guarantees that AM remains standard in all new vehicles, ensuring that drivers and passengers have dependable access to emergency alerts when they are most needed.

Millions of Americans have shown clearly: They desire AM radio in their cars, not removed from the dial. With a filibuster-proof 60 co-sponsors for this bipartisan bill, I am actively working to pass my legislation on the floor and make it law.

President Trump backs the legislation, andinformed the National Religious BroadcastersDuring the 2024 campaign, he stated, "I will defend the content that supports God. To this end, at the request of the NRB, I will take action to preserve AM radio in our vehicles." He also mentioned in his speech that Christian broadcasting, much of which operates on AM (with 120 AM stations being NRB members), is "facing a crisis."

Cameron Coats, online editor of theRadio Inka trade publication is certain the bill will receive a complete congressional review. "I believe it will be brought to a vote this year, although due to various budget concerns, it's experiencing some postponement," he stated.Tech Bytes LabOnce it reaches the floor, the votes will be in place. And the President will sign it.

Already Gone

There would be no necessity for such laws if car manufacturers hadn't begun secretly removing AM from their models, not only in battery-powered EVs (where they argue AM causes electromagnetic interference from the high-voltage electricity).

Automakers that have eliminated AM in some of their electric vehicles include Tesla, Rivian, Mazda, VW, Volvo, Polestar, and BMW. It wasout of the electric BMW i3as early as 2015, Ford discontinued AM but reintroduced it in 2023. Some Volvo plug-in hybrid models have also eliminated the band.

AM is integrated into electric vehicles like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Toyota BZ4X, the Subaru Solterra, and both iterations of the Chevrolet Bolt. Additionally, Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Stellantis, and Subaru also support AM.

Removing AM is not only restricted to the United States. It has already been largely discontinued in Europe (known as "medium wave"), including countries such as Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Germany, Belarus, Albania, and Belgium. AM broadcasting is still taking place in the UK, although the transmitters for BBC 4 on that frequency were recently turned off throughout the country. Bauer Media also ceased AM transmitter operations. AM isholding onin Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Spain.

The Rise of Digital

Around 40 nations have transitioned from traditional radio broadcasts to digital radio (DAB+). By 2017, 420 million individuals had access to DAB. Australia and Germany were among the first to embrace this technology. Norway discontinued its national FM broadcasting in 2017. The United States utilizes HD Radio, though it does not implement DAB+.

Those opposing the US AM radio requirement include the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents car manufacturers, the Zero Emission Transportation Association, and two additional organizations. They stated ina joint 2023 letter:

Emergency notifications are transmitted via multiple overlapping channels to ensure maximum reliability, and the FCC is striving to further enhance the system to reach more Americans during crises. Some people claim that AM radio is essential for emergency communications, but in these situations, FM radio, online streaming platforms, improved rural internet connectivity, and text alerts can compensate for any absence of AM radio access.

Car manufacturers typically resist regulations, and electric vehicle producers are concerned about potential disruptions. There may be some cost reductions from removing AM, although it's probably not significant. The mandate, as the letter writers stated, "is unnecessary and goes against the principles of a free-market economy. The requirement would unfairly slow down advancements in the automotive industry."

Considering the political landscape, it appears that car manufacturers will need to figure out how to incorporate AM radio into their vehicle radios, even in electric vehicles.

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