![The growing adoption of EVs could make AM radio obsolete due to the added costs for automakers, but Congress still wants to save it.](https://san.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CLEAN-AM-Radio_Getty-Images_featuredImage_Thu-May-02-2024.jpg?w=1920)
EVs could kill AM radio, Congress wants to save it
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See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this data[JACK AYLMER]
ELECTRIC VEHICLES MIGHT BE THE DEATH OF RADIO.
WELL, AM RADIO ANYWAYS.
HERE’S THE PROBLEM:
HAVING AN AM RADIO IN AN EV CAN CAUSE ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE WITH THE CAR’S PROPULSION SYSTEMS-
LIKE IT’S ELECTRIC MOTOR AND HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY.
MITIGATING THESE PROBLEMS IS EXPECTED TO COST AUTOMAKERS ALMOST 4 BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS.
SOMETHING THEY REALLY DON’T WANT TO SPEND THAT KIND OF MONEY ON.
BUT, LAWMAKERS MIGHT JUST MAKE THEM.
[The King of AM Radio]
Soon, am radio will reign king once more!
[JACK AYLMER]
CONGRESS IS CONSIDERING VERSIONS OF THE AM RADIO FOR EVERY VEHICLE ACT,
IF PASSED, THIS LEGISLATION WOULD DIRECT THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION TO ISSUE A RULE REQUIRING AUTOMAKERS to include AM RADIO ACCESS IN THEIR CARS.
IT ALSO STOPS companies FROM CHARGING DRIVERS MORE MONEY FOR THE SERVICE.
THE REASON BEHIND THIS PUSH: PUBLIC SAFETY.
LAWMAKERS ARE CONCERNED THAT WHEN NATURAL DISASTERS STRIKE, PEOPLE TRAVELING IN THEIR CARS COULD BE LEFT DANGEROUSLY UNINFORMED IF THEY CAN’T TUNE IN.
[Rodgers]
“While other forms of communication have failed during these incidents, AM radio has often remained resilient, operational, and has been the calming voice in the storm when on the go.”
[JACK AYLMER]
OPPONENTS ARGUE THAT WHILE AUTOMAKERS CAN’T CHARGE PREMIUMS FOR CARS WITH AM RADIOS, THAT DOESN’T MEAN THEY WONT HIKE COSTS ON ALL VEHICLES TO MAKE UP FOR it.
MAKING VEHICLES MORE EXPENSIVE FOR EVERYONE – OVER A FORM OF COMMUNICATION USED BY A DWINDLING NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION, ONLY ABOUT ONE PERCENT OF AMERICANS RECEIVE EMERGENCY ALERTS THROUGH AM RADIO.
BUT THAT’S STILL ABOUT THREE MILLION PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE, WOULD’VE BEEN LEFT WITH RADIO SILENCE.
JACK AYLMER – STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS.