Former U.S. federal emergency officials have expressed concern over the discontinuation of AM radios in new cars, warning that drivers could be unreachable during times of crisis. With new cars, particularly electric vehicles, phasing out AM radio receivers over the last decade, it’s been cited that more than 90% of people in the U.S. are reportedly reachable by just 75 AM stations equipped with backup communications and generators. However, the launch of the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning saw Ford axing the AM band from its radio, putting owners of new vehicles at risk of missing emergency broadcasts, say the former emergency officials.
According to The Wall Street Journal, seven former Federal Emergency Management Agency administrators sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg expressing concern over the AM radios being excluded from EVs. The officials advised that should the exclusion of AM radios continue, it would represent a grave threat to future local, state, and federal disaster response and relief efforts. “When all else fails, radio stations are often the last line of communications that communities have,” added Craig Fugate, head of FEMA under President Obama and one of the letter’s signatories.
Although AM radios are being phased out, it’s worth noting that plenty of EVs still include them as standard equipment, such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Toyota BZ4X, and Chevy Bolt. According to Nielsen, the format retains an audience of 47 million nationwide. AM radio has been tested over and over during the most devastating natural disasters and has withstood them all, added Antwane Johnson, a current FEMA official.
As electric cars continue to rise in popularity, it is essential to consider the importance of AM radios in times of emergency. The phase-out of AM radios could potentially put many lives at risk, and it is crucial to ensure that safety is always prioritized.
