U.S. House passes bill to mandate AM radio in all new vehicles

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, a bipartisan measure that would require automakers to include AM radio receivers in all new vehicles sold in the United States. If the legislation passes the Senate and is signed by President Donald Trump, the Department of Transportation will be tasked with creating rules to mandate standard AM radio reception.

Supporters, including the National Association of Broadcasters and AARP, argue the mandate is critical for public safety. AM radio remains a vital tool for the Emergency Broadcast System, particularly in rural areas or during natural disasters when internet and cellular services may fail. Proponents also note that a significant portion of the population, including many older Americans, relies on the band.

Automakers have previously resisted such mandates, citing the costs of maintaining the technology and potential electrical interference in electric vehicles (EVs). Companies such as Tesla, BMW, Mazda, and Volkswagen have removed AM radio from some EV models. While Ford initially planned to remove the feature from all vehicles for the 2024 model year, the company reversed that decision following the introduction of this legislation.