A group of lawmakers in the United States introduced a law to prevent car manufacturers from removing AM radios from new vehicles.
The bill’s sponsors cited safety concerns, claiming that the removal of AM radio undermines a federal system for delivering public safety announcements.
Massachusetts Sen. Edward Markey, one of the bill’s sponsors, said at least eight automakers have removed AM radio from their electric vehicles, including Tesla, BMW, Ford and Volkswagen.
“There’s a clear public safety imperative here. Having AM radio available in our cars means we always have important emergency alerts and warnings on the road,” Jessica Rosenworcel, chair of the Federal Communications Commission, told Reuters.
Lobbyists representing automakers were quick to condemn the bill, which would ask the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to create rules requiring free AM radios in new cars.
“Requiring AM radios in all vehicles is unnecessary. Congress has never required radio features in vehicles before. Vehicle manufacturers are 100 percent committed to ensuring that drivers have access to public alerts and safety warnings,” Represents the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group. Several major automakers told Reuters.
