Quick: when was the last time you listened to an AM radio broadcast? And more specifically, when was the last time you did so voluntarily? If you drive an electric vehicle (EV), the answer might very well be “never.”
The Silent Disappearance of AM Radio
While this probably says more about you as a consumer than about the state of broadcasting, the reality is that the vast majority of EV owners are driving without even realizing they lack an AM tuner. This feature is also disappearing in some internal combustion vehicles, but it is more commonly omitted in EVs because their powertrains produce significant electronic interference, to which AM frequencies are particularly susceptible. But don’t worry; the U.S. Congress is on the case.
Emergencies and Subscriptions: The Official Reasons
As explained by Stephanie Brinley, Associate Director at S&P AutoIntelligence, the push to preserve the AM band is motivated by its use for emergency alerts and the fact that it does not require a paid subscription to listen. The debate is therefore less about consumer interest and more about public service.
Has the Smartphone Era Sounded the Death Knell for AM?
The primary reason for wanting to preserve AM radio reception – the emergency alert system – has become less critical in the age of mobile phones. The U.S. government eventually acknowledged this reality by passing the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2015. This law aims to create a modern alert system capable of adapting to future communication technologies, targeting geographic areas, and ensuring redundancy and privacy protection.
In other words, we no longer need to rely on AM radio. We are simply doing so because the replacement system is not yet fully implemented or even defined.
A Congressional Mandate Despite a Disputed Need
This has not stopped Congress from spending years on the initial steps to mandate the inclusion of AM radio in all new vehicles. A version of the bill was recently approved in committee with “overwhelming” support.
For a Congress traditionally averse to regulation, such interest suggests significant popular support. Yet, experts agree: the absence of AM radio is not a deal-breaker for purchases.
Expert Opinion and Market Reality
“It is highly unlikely that a consumer would forego an EV because the AM band is not available,” confirms Stephanie Brinley, while noting that this is not the core of the debate for lawmakers.
Robby DeGraff, Manager of Product and Consumer Insights at AutoPacific, agrees: “We don’t have specific numbers on consumer demand for AM radio… I don’t think its absence is a deal-breaker.”
“Most of today’s vehicle buyers and owners stream content via their phones, listen to satellite radio, or flip through FM stations,” he adds.
A Question of Generation
Part of the answer lies in the age of the average buyer. The adoption of electrified vehicles is stronger among younger, more tech-savvy populations, who have little overlap with the traditional AM radio audience.
“Of course, there are demographics, especially baby boomers and some from Generation X, who listen to AM radio regularly,” concedes DeGraff. “But I don’t think its absence is enough to steer them away from a vehicle.”