As the AM For Every Vehicle Act moves toward a Senate vote, New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer wants to initiate an additional measure to safeguard AM radio’s availability in electric vehicles: a warning label emphasizing the band’s critical role in public safety.
In a press conference held in front of a Tesla dealership, Rep. Gottheimer skewered the EV maker’s decision to cut AM radio over electromagnetic shielding costs, saying, “I would think that if [Tesla CEO] Elon Musk has enough money to buy Twitter and send rockets to space, he can afford to include AM radio in his Teslas.”
The representative went on to announce he has sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, advocating for mandatory safety warnings on car window stickers of vehicles lacking AM radio, not unlike the warning labels placed prominently on cigarette packs. The proposed warning reads: “Warning: No AM Radio. Vehicle Unsafe in Certain Emergencies.”
This initiative highlights the indispensable role of AM radio during crises such as tornadoes and the Maui wildfire, echoing a recent NAB report.
The Congressman’s previous efforts include writing to major EV manufacturers, urging the inclusion of AM radio, and advocating for federal investments to enhance AM radio stations’ emergency readiness. He is also urging NHTSA to incorporate AM radio into Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, ensuring its standard presence in all vehicles, including electric vehicles.
The bipartisan, bicameral AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which would mandate the inclusion of AM radio in all vehicles without extra costs, has garnered extensive support, with more than 200 bipartisan supporters in the House and 40 in the Senate.
Gottheimer asserted, “Buying a car without AM radio is like buying a car without an emergency parking brake. You may not use it every day, but you’ll be glad you have it if your brakes ever go out.”
