WASHINGTON, May possibly 17 (Reuters) – A team of bipartisan U.S. lawmakers introduced laws Wednesday to bar automakers from getting rid of AM broadcast radio in their new vehicles, citing safety concerns.

Democratic Senator Edward Markey, one of the sponsors of the invoice, reported at minimum 8 automakers have taken off AM broadcast radio from their electric powered motor vehicles, like Tesla (TSLA.O) BMW (BMWG.DE), Ford (F.N) and Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE).

The bill would direct the Countrywide Freeway Website traffic Protection Administration (NHTSA) to situation restrictions to mandate AM radio in new automobiles devoid of supplemental charge. “Carmakers should not tune out AM radio in new autos or set it behind a high priced digital paywall,” Markey reported.

Lawmakers say dropping AM radio undermines a federal procedure for providing essential general public protection information and facts to the general public.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group symbolizing big automakers, explained “mandating AM radios in all autos is unnecessary. Congress has in no way mandated radio functions in autos at any time ahead of. Automakers remain 100 p.c dedicated to making certain motorists have access to public alerts and security warnings.”

They pointed to the Built-in Community Alerts and Warning System (IPAWS) program that can distribute warnings throughout AM, FM , internet-centered or satellite radio and about cellular networks. “This is just a bill to prop up and give preference to a distinct technological know-how which is now competing with other communications possibilities and adapting to switching listenership,” the automaker team additional.

Sponsors include Senators Ted Cruz, Tammy Baldwin, Deb Fischer, Ben Ray Luján and J.D. Vance and Consultant Josh Gottheimer.

“If Elon Musk has sufficient cash to get Twitter and ship rockets to area, he can pay for to include AM radio in his Teslas. Instead, Elon Musk and Tesla and other car or truck producers are placing community safety and crisis reaction at chance,” Gottheimer claimed. Tesla did not right away remark.

Federal Communications Fee chair Jessica Rosenworcel praised the monthly bill, saying “There is a clear community basic safety crucial below. Possessing AM radio accessible in our vehicles signifies we normally have accessibility to crisis alerts and key warnings while we are out on the highway.”

Reporting by David Shepardson

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