South Bergen News

AM Radio is Critical to Emergency Response. Bipartisan AM for Every Vehicle Act Led by Reps. Gottheimer, Kean, Menendez, Westerman, Gluesenkamp Perez and Sens. Markey, Cruz, and Menendez.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On May 23, 2023, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) applauded Ford for their decision to include AM radio in all 2024 vehicles and provide a software update for current Ford electric vehicles without AM radio.  

“After repeatedly calling on carmakers to keep AM radio in all their vehicles — both gas and electric — I’m glad to see that Ford will now include AM in all 2024 vehicles. I hope all automakers, like Tesla, will follow Ford’s lead and realize how important AM radio is to public safety,” said Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), the lead House sponsor of the AM for Every Vehicle Act. “AM radio is the backbone behind America’s National Public Warning System — for emergency-alert info from FEMA to the public during natural disasters, extreme weather, chemical incidents, health emergencies, and domestic threats. When the cell phone runs out, the internet gets cut off, or the television doesn’t work because of no electricity or power to your house, you can still turn on your AM radio.”

Earlier this year, Gottheimer wrote to the major EV companies — Ford, Tesla, Volkswagen, Volvo, BMW, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, and Polestar — urging them to reconsider their decision and to include AM as a stock feature because it is critical to public safety.

Gottheimer also called on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to add AM radio to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and make it a minimum standard like airbags, brakes, and seatbelts.

Gottheimer also asked FEMA to look into the issue and immediately contact automakers since AM radio is a vital emergency management tool.

Gottheimer is leading the AM for Every Vehicle Act in the House along with co-leads Reps. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-7), Rob Menendez (NJ-8), Bruce Westerman (AR-4), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-3). The AM for Every Vehicle Act is being led in the Senate by Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ).

The AM for Every Vehicle Act will require automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in new vehicles at no additional charge. 

Out of 20 of the world’s leading carmakers, eight have removed AM broadcast radio from their electric vehicles.

Original source can be found here.