The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act with bipartisan support. The legislation requires automakers to include AM radio as standard equipment in new passenger vehicles at no extra cost to consumers. The bill is now moving to the Senate for consideration.
The proposed law mandates that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration enforce the inclusion of AM receivers. Supporters, including Sens. Ed Markey and Ted Cruz, argue that AM radio serves as a critical communication tool for emergency alerts and public information.
Many manufacturers have recently removed AM receivers from new models, citing electromagnetic interference from electric motors. Companies such as Tesla, Rivian, BMW, and Volvo have moved away from traditional AM hardware in favor of digital streaming services.
While some automakers have shifted to software-defined platforms, others have adjusted their strategies. Ford previously removed AM radio from certain vehicles but later reversed this decision. Rivian’s R2 SUV relies on digital platforms like iHeartRadio for radio access.
