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Here’s why future car models should not eliminate AM radio stations

By Nicolle Osorio, WFTV.com

Goodbye AM radio: Makers of electric cars have been ditching AM radio as a feature. (Rattankun Thongbun/iStock)

By Nicolle Osorio, WFTV.com

ORLANDO, Fla. — AM radio stations play a crucial role in emergencies.

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As electric vehicle manufacturers plan to eliminate AM stations in new models, others like Attorney General Ashley Moody emphasized the importance of keeping these stations for emergencies and diversity of thought.

“Every state in America faces public safety emergencies, including hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, earthquakes, and more,” Moody said. “AM radio stations are vital to disseminating information in times of crisis.”

These signals reach farther and, most importantly, remain functional even when phone lines, electricity, and cell phones are not working.

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“Electric vehicle manufacturers must keep these radio signals open and active-Floridians’ lives may depend on it,” Moody said.

Former leaders of the Federal Emergency Management Agency also said that eliminating AM stations is a ‘grave threat’ to local and federal response and relief efforts in the case of a disaster.

According to the National Association of Broadcasters, approximately 47 million Americans listen to AM radio weekly as a source of entertainment, weather reports, and political commentary.

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This information is vital in rural America, where other sources are often sparse and unreliable.

Electric vehicle manufacturers have said the reason for the decision is an apparent signal interference with new electric vehicles.

However, multiple electric vehicle manufacturers decided not to remove AM radio functions.

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