Senate Report Finds AM Radio Plays Critical Role

The Senate Commerce Committee Thursday released a report emphasizing the critical role of AM radio in vehicles for emergency communications, as part of its support for the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (S. 315). 

The report highlights that 86% of primary entry point stations in the national Emergency Alert System (EAS) are AM stations, underscoring their importance in delivering warnings during disasters, especially in rural areas where AM signals travel longer distances than FM or cellular networks. It notes AM radio’s reliability when other communication systems, like cell towers or internet, fail during natural disasters such as hurricanes or wildfires, citing examples like Hurricane Helene, where AM radio was a lifeline for delivering evacuation routes and shelter information.

The report addresses automakers’ decisions, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, to remove AM radios due to electromagnetic interference and shifting consumer preferences toward streaming audio. 

It argues that this trend jeopardizes public safety, as AM radio remains a cost-free, dependable platform for emergency alerts. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the cost of implementing AM radio in vehicles to be minimal, at a few million dollars annually, with the mandate prohibiting these costs from being passed to consumers. The report also dismisses concerns about significant compliance burdens, stating that violations “would probably be small” and the impact on automakers would be “minimal.”
The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which the report supports, would require the Department of Transportation to mandate AM radio capability in all new passenger vehicles manufactured or sold in the U.S., with a two- to three-year compliance period for most manufacturers and four years for small-volume producers. 

It also tasks the Government Accountability Office with studying whether alternative technologies can match AM’s coverage and reliability for emergency alerts, with findings to be reported to Congress. The legislation has strong bipartisan support, with 63 Senate co-sponsors and 262 House members backing companion bill H.R. 979, ensuring a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

The report counters arguments from automakers and groups like the Consumer Technology Association, which claim that AM radio is outdated and that alternatives like FM, satellite radio, or cell networks suffice. It cites FEMA’s reliance on AM radio as the backbone of the EAS and notes that during disasters like Hurricane Helene, AM stations were often the only communication source when power and telecom infrastructure failed. The report also addresses concerns about EV interference, noting that solutions exist, such as Toyota’s workaround, and that shielding can be implemented at a low cost, estimated at $70 per vehicle.