US automakers could soon be forced to include AM radio for free

You will still have access to AM radio in new cars, even if the automaker removes the physical receiver.

The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, a bipartisan bill mandating that new cars, trucks, and SUVs manufactured within the next year include AM radio as standard equipment at no extra cost to consumers. The legislation, which now moves to the Senate, directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to enforce this requirement. Proponents argue that AM radio is a vital communication tool for emergencies, with its signal capable of long-distance travel. This push has gained significant support from both Democrats and Republicans, emergency responders, and former FEMA administrators. Several automakers, particularly electric vehicle manufacturers like Tesla, Rivian, and BMW, have phased out AM radio receivers due to electromagnetic interference from EV powertrains and a shift towards digital streaming services. Ford previously removed AM radio but has since reinstated it in some models.

The bipartisan passage of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act signals a growing tension between regulatory bodies and automotive technology trends, particularly the shift towards software-defined vehicles and away from dedicated broadcast receivers. This legislation prioritizes the perceived public safety benefits of AM radio over automakers' desires to streamline vehicle hardware and promote integrated digital infotainment systems. The strong congressional backing suggests a potential regulatory hurdle for automakers that have been actively removing AM radio capabilities, forcing them to re-evaluate their internal technology roadmaps and supply chains to comply with the mandate.

This development could impact the broader market for in-car audio solutions, potentially slowing the complete transition to digital-only audio in vehicles. Automakers that have invested in phasing out AM hardware may now face increased costs for compliance or need to find innovative digital workarounds, as seen with Rivian offering AM/FM through platforms like iHeartRadio. The renewed focus on AM radio as an emergency communication tool could also spur further development in broadcast infrastructure resilience and potentially influence future legislation regarding essential in-car communication technologies.