Hustler Words – In a surprising display of political unity, AM radio has emerged as a rare point of bipartisan consensus in Washington, potentially compelling U.S. automakers to integrate the century-old broadcast technology into all new vehicles within the coming year. This legislative push highlights a fascinating tension between traditional communication methods and the evolving landscape of automotive technology.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives delivered a resounding endorsement of the "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act." This legislation, passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, mandates that all new cars, trucks, and SUVs be equipped with AM radio capabilities at no additional expense to consumers. The bill now advances to the Senate, where its prospects appear strong.
For an extended period, advocates for AM radio encountered resistance in their efforts to secure such a mandate. Their core argument centers on AM radio’s critical role during emergencies, citing its ability to transmit signals over long distances, making it an indispensable tool for disseminating vital information when other communication channels may fail. However, a recent surge in support from diverse groups, including both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, the broadcast industry, various emergency responder organizations, and even former administrators of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has propelled this bill closer to enactment.
The Senate is widely anticipated to follow the House’s lead, particularly given the bill’s robust backing. Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who co-sponsored the Senate’s version of the legislation, previously secured 60 co-sponsors – a crucial benchmark for overcoming potential filibusters. In a joint statement released Wednesday, both senators lauded the House’s decision.
"This vote sends an unequivocal message to car manufacturers: AM Radio is a vital communication channel that must be preserved in new vehicles," stated the senators. They emphasized AM radio’s multifaceted utility, ranging from emergency response and sports coverage to entertainment and news, serving tens of millions of Americans. "It is now imperative for the Senate to pass the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, ensuring this legislation becomes law and AM radio remains a trusted, essential resource for commuters and communities nationwide."
This legislative drive directly confronts a growing trend among several prominent automakers. Companies like BMW, Rivian, Tesla, and Volvo have progressively moved away from incorporating AM radio receivers, opting instead for advanced software-defined vehicle architectures that prioritize streaming services such as TuneIn and SiriusXM. Ford, initially part of this movement, notably reversed its decision to remove AM radio from certain models.
Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers have been at the forefront of this shift, largely due to a specific technical challenge: the electromagnetic interference generated by electric motors can significantly degrade the frequencies utilized by AM radio. Automakers contend that this interference compromises both the signal integrity and audio fidelity of AM broadcasts.
For instance, Tesla’s base Model 3 and Model Y vehicles do not include AM receivers. Similarly, Rivian’s new R2 SUV omits both FM and AM receivers, though it offers access to AM/FM content digitally via the iHeartRadio platform. Owners of Rivian’s R1S and R1T models, however, can still access FM content either digitally or through a built-in receiver. Efforts to reach Tesla for comment were unsuccessful, while Rivian declined to provide a statement for this story to hustlerwords.com.
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