US automakers could be required to include AM radio

US automakers may soon be required to include AM radio in new cars, trucks, and SUVs at no additional cost to consumers. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act on Wednesday in a rare show of bipartisan support. The bill now heads to the Senate.

The legislation would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require AM radio as standard equipment in new passenger vehicles. Supporters say AM signals can travel long distances and provide critical information during emergencies. Democrats, Republicans, broadcasters, emergency responder organizations, and former Federal Emergency Management Agency administrators have backed the measure.

Sens. Ed Markey and Ted Cruz co-sponsored the Senate version. Earlier this year, they secured 60 co-sponsors, a threshold that could help the bill overcome a filibuster.

Automakers have increasingly removed traditional AM receivers as vehicles rely more on software and streaming services such as TuneIn and SiriusXM. Electric-vehicle makers have cited electromagnetic interference from electric motors, which can degrade AM reception and audio quality.

BMW, Rivian, Tesla, and Volvo no longer offer traditional AM receivers in some or all vehicles. Tesla’s base Model 3 and Model Y versions lack AM receivers. Rivian’s R2 has no FM or AM receiver but offers free AM/FM radio through iHeartRadio, while the R1S and R1T provide digital or built-in access to FM content.