AM Radio May Become Legally Mandated In All New CarsAutoGuide.comRoss BallotWed, September 23, 2026 at 2:40 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleSource: AutoGuideSource: AutoGuideWhen is the last time you listened to AM Radio?It might have been a while, and yet there's still a portion of the public - road going and otherwise - who are dedicated to listening to amplitude modulation (AM) transmissions. Though much of the world has leaned into streaming and app-based platforms, there are somehow over 4,300 active AM radio stations throughout the USA, aggregating over 80 million listeners each month.AdvertisementAdvertisementAnd now, the government is fighting to keep AM radio alive.Source: AutoGuideSource: AutoGuideThe "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act" just passed through the U.S. House of Representatives. In essence, the proposed legislation would require all new vehicles that are made or sold in the USA to have the ability to broadcast AM radio into the vehicle.Why? Aside from the shocking listener base, AM radio is the go-to for natural disaster, weather, and emergency news broadcasting. In the event that the internet isn't available, AM radio still tends to be. It's a lifeline for some and could be one for many should the need arise.AdvertisementAdvertisementAs companies like BMW, Mazda, VW, and Tesla have pulled AM radio from their electric vehicles over the last decade or so, they have undoubtedly done so not just for cost savings but also because electric motors can be jammed by AM radio signals. There will have to be a workaround, though this feels like a minor hurdle in the grand scheme of building automobiles.The act still has to make it past the U.S. Senate and the president's desk in order to become law, so stay tuned (ha!).Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletterhere.