House Passed Legislation Requiring AM Radio in Cars
The bill mandates that all new vehicles include functioning AM radio receivers, moving now to the Senate.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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In September 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation requiring all new vehicles to include AM radio. The bill is intended to ensure access to emergency communications.
Why it matters
Supporters argue that AM radio serves as a vital emergency lifeline, particularly when cellular services are disrupted during disasters. Broadcasters maintain that in-car access is essential for the economic viability of the nation's 4,000 AM stations.
Approximately 53 percent of the total AM and FM radio audience listens while in their cars. An AM radio unit adds less than 0.1 percent to the total production cost of a new vehicle.
The players
U.S. House of Representatives
This is the lower chamber of the United States Congress responsible for passing federal legislation.
Tesla
Tesla is an American automotive and clean energy company that produces electric vehicles.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen is a German automotive manufacturer that operates a significant global presence in the passenger vehicle market.
Volvo
Volvo is a multinational vehicle manufacturer known for its focus on safety and electric vehicle transitions.
The details
Automakers like Tesla, Volkswagen, and Volvo have previously removed AM radio from some models, citing electromagnetic interference from high-voltage electric vehicle systems. The legislation aims to override these design changes to protect public access to broadcast emergency alerts.
Timeline
April 2024: Industry representatives testified on AM radio interference in electric vehicles.
September 2026: The U.S. House of Representatives passed the AM radio legislation.
November 2026: Midterm elections occur.
Post-election 2026: A potential Senate vote is expected during the lame duck session.
Roadmap
The move mandates a return to legacy broadcast hardware even as the auto industry shifts toward high-voltage electric propulsion systems. This pits traditional communication safety requirements against the modern engineering needs of battery-powered vehicle platforms.
Car buyers may see changes to the feature sets of future models as manufacturers integrate AM receivers back into their vehicle systems. These additions will likely have a negligible effect on the final MSRP of new vehicles, given the low integration cost.
The takeaway
AM radio remains a significant public resource with over 82 million monthly listeners across the country. Drivers should ensure they are familiar with all emergency broadcast channels available in their specific vehicle models.
What happens next
The legislation is expected to face a Senate vote during the lame duck session scheduled after the November 2026 midterm elections.
Further reading
Learn more about shifting Electric Vehicles industry trends in the United States.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CNN International.
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Should the federal government mandate that all new automobiles must include AM radio?
