The US House of Representatives has passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act with bipartisan support. The legislation mandates that the Department of Transportation and the NHTSA require automakers to include AM radio as a standard feature in all new passenger vehicles, trucks, and SUVs sold in the country.
The bill explicitly prohibits manufacturers from charging consumers extra fees or subscription costs for AM radio access. This move counters the recent industry trend where companies like Tesla, Rivian, BMW, and Volvo have removed analog AM receivers from their vehicles, citing electromagnetic interference from high-voltage EV motors.
Lawmakers argue that AM radio remains a critical component of the national public alert system. Unlike cellular networks or streaming platforms, AM signals provide long-range coverage that remains functional during natural disasters or infrastructure failures, serving as a vital channel for emergency communications.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to pass due to strong bipartisan backing. Once enacted, regulators will have one year to establish implementation rules. Despite opposition from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which warns of billions of dollars in compliance costs, the mandate is set to proceed.
