(WWJ) – The decision by several carmakers to take AM radio out of electric vehicles is facing criticism from several safety advocates.
In a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg over the weekend, seven former administrators for the Federal Emergency Management Agency said such a move could put people in danger.
Specifically, in cases of natural disasters, weather emergencies or other catastrophes, officials say AM radio can be the last line of communication.
WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert says Ford recently joined Tesla in deciding to remove AM from its EVs, including the upcoming 2023 F-150 Lightning.
Automakers say EVs require extra, expensive shielding in order to have AM radio, due to electromagnetic interference from the motors.
“Putting AM in EVs requires extra shielding for interference, but those experts, who have handled many disasters, say AM radio provides the communications information needed in an emergency. They say its loss would be a grave threat to emergency response efforts,” Gilbert said on WWJ.
While General Motors and most Asian brands still ofer AM in their EVs, the former FEMA officials have asked the Biden Administration to seek assurances from carmakers that EV’s will continue to have AM, and there’s also been pressure in Congress to require it.
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