In a rare bipartisan move, the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to require AM radio access in new electric vehicle models, a decision supported by the benefits of AM radio for millions of Americans who rely on it for critical information. With 80 million Americans tuning in monthly to 4,000 AM radio stations, access to this medium is crucial for receiving sports updates, spiritual programming, and emergency information. Particularly in rural areas and during natural disasters, AM radio serves as a lifeline for safety alerts and emergency communication.
While some automakers have expressed concerns about interference with EV motors, solutions such as shielding and filters can mitigate these issues. Several automakers have committed to continue including AM radio in their vehicles, recognizing its importance to consumers. Critics argue that saving AM radio could lead to government intrusion and burden automakers, but the benefits of ensuring access to essential information for underserved communities outweigh these concerns. Overall, AM radio remains a vital medium for broadcasting important news and information to Americans across the country.
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