AM radio law opposed by tech and auto industries is close to passing

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/05/am-radio-is-a-lifeline-lawmakers-say-tech-and-auto-industries-disagree/

But it's not exclusively an EV issue; last year we learned the revised Ford Mustang coupe would also arrive sans AM radio, which Ford told us was because radio stations were modernizing "by offering Internet streaming through mobile apps, FM, digital and satellite radio options," and that it would continue to offer those other audio options in its vehicles.

In response to congressional questioning, eight automakers told a Senate committee that they were quitting AM: BMW, Ford, Mazda, Polestar, Rivian, Tesla, Volkswagen, and Volvo. This "undermined the Federal Emergency Management Agency's system for delivering critical public safety information to the public," said Sen. Markey's office last year, and AM radio's role as a platform for delivering emergency alerts to the public is given by supporters of the legislation as perhaps the key reason for its necessity.

Tech and auto industries aren’t happy

But critics of the bill—including the Consumer Technology Association—don't buy that argument. In October 2023, FEMA and the Federal Communications Commission conducted a nationwide test of the emergency alert system. According to CTA, which surveyed 800 US adults, of the 95 percent of US adults that heard the test, only 6 percent did so via radio, and just 1 percent on AM radio specifically. Instead, 92 percent received the alert pushed to their smartphone.

"Requiring the installation of analog AM radios in automobiles is an unnecessary action that would impact EV range, efficiency and affordability at a critical moment of accelerating adoption," said Albert Gore, executive director of ZETA, a clean vehicle advocacy group that opposes the AM radio requirement. "Mandating AM radio would do little to expand drivers’ ability to receive emergency alerts. At a time when we are more connected than ever, we encourage Congress to allow manufacturers to innovate and produce designs that meet consumer preference, rather than pushing a specific communications technology," Gore said in a statement.

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  "title": "AM radio law opposed by tech and auto industries is close to passing",
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  "author": "Jonathan M. Gitlin",
  "date": "2024-05-01T18:45:31.000Z",
  "description": "A recent test of the emergency alert system found only 1 percent got it via AM.",
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  "url": "https://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/05/am-radio-is-a-lifeline-lawmakers-say-tech-and-auto-industries-disagree/"
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  "url": "https://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/05/am-radio-is-a-lifeline-lawmakers-say-tech-and-auto-industries-disagree/",
  "title": "AM radio law opposed by tech and auto industries is close to passing",
  "description": "But it's not exclusively an EV issue; last year we learned the revised Ford Mustang coupe would also arrive sans AM radio, which Ford told us was because radio stations were modernizing \"by offering Internet...",
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  "content": "<div>\n<p>But it's not exclusively an EV issue; <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/03/the-2024-ford-mustang-is-the-next-car-to-lose-am-radio/\">last year we learned the revised Ford Mustang coupe</a> would also arrive <em>sans</em> AM radio, which Ford told us was because radio stations were modernizing \"by offering Internet streaming through mobile apps, FM, digital and satellite radio options,\" and that it would continue to offer those other audio options in its vehicles.</p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/letters_of_automaker_responses_-_030823pdf.pdf\">In response to congressional questioning</a>, eight automakers told a Senate committee that they were quitting AM: BMW, Ford, Mazda, Polestar, Rivian, Tesla, Volkswagen, and Volvo. This \"undermined the Federal Emergency Management Agency's system for delivering critical public safety information to the public,\" said Sen. Markey's office last year, and AM radio's role as a platform for delivering emergency alerts to the public is given by supporters of the legislation as perhaps the key reason for its necessity.</p>\n<h2>Tech and auto industries aren’t happy</h2>\n<p>But critics of the bill—including the Consumer Technology Association—don't buy that argument. In October 2023, FEMA and the Federal Communications Commission conducted a nationwide test of the emergency alert system. According to CTA, which surveyed 800 US adults, of the 95 percent of US adults that heard the test, only 6 percent did so via radio, and just 1 percent on AM radio specifically. Instead, 92 percent received the alert pushed to their smartphone.</p>\n<p>\"Requiring the installation of analog AM radios in automobiles is an unnecessary action that would impact EV range, efficiency and affordability at a critical moment of accelerating adoption,\" said Albert Gore, executive director of ZETA, a clean vehicle advocacy group that opposes the AM radio requirement. \"Mandating AM radio would do little to expand drivers’ ability to receive emergency alerts. At a time when we are more connected than ever, we encourage Congress to allow manufacturers to innovate and produce designs that meet consumer preference, rather than pushing a specific communications technology,\" Gore said in a statement.</p>\n                  </div>",
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