A group of bipartisan U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation Wednesday to bar automakers from eliminating AM broadcast radio in their new vehicles, citing safety concerns.
U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., one of the sponsors of the bill, said at least eight automakers have removed AM broadcast radio from their EVs, including Tesla, BMW, Ford and Volkswagen. Lawmakers say losing AM radio undermines a federal system for delivering key public safety information to the public.
The bill would direct NHTSA to issue regulations to mandate AM radio in new vehicles without additional charge.
"Carmakers shouldn’t tune out AM radio in new vehicles or put it behind a costly digital paywall," Markey said.