On May 4th, it was reported that with the development of smart cars, in-car AM radios seem to have become outdated. Some car manufacturers, such as Tesla and Ford, have decided to remove this feature from their new models, but this has caused dissatisfaction from Senator Markey of Massachusetts in the United States. Markey believes that these companies are depriving consumers of their right to enjoy AM radio, which still has many listeners in the United States, especially in emergencies such as during hurricanes where it still plays an important role.
During an interview with Target 12 TV, Senator Markey stated, “This is a big issue because we can’t allow companies like Tesla and Ford to exploit consumers who have relied on AM radio for 100 years while other automakers still offer the feature for free.”
A spokesperson for Ford issued a brief statement, saying that while Ford is gradually phasing out in-car AM radio, they are also providing other options for consumers. “Ford will continue to offer these alternative solutions to consumers, allowing them to listen to their favorite AM radio stations during their daily commute. As we remove or update most of our new and redesigned models from the market, we will no longer offer (AM radio),” the spokesperson said.
According to reports, Tesla sent a letter to Senator Markey, explaining that the drive system of their electric vehicles interferes with the signal of AM radio. “As you know, the design of the electric vehicle drive system is necessary for the performance of the electric vehicle, but it is also a direct source of significant interference with AM radio transmission. Specifically, the electromagnetic waves generated by the electric vehicle drive system interfere with the frequency of the AM radio signal, which is similar in wavelength to the electric vehicle drive system,” Tesla wrote in the letter. “The resulting electromagnetic interference affects the strength of the AM broadcast signal, causing unstable and unusable AM radio transmissions. Despite these challenges, Tesla understands how important it is for Tesla owners to be able to use their preferred media, including AM radio, during their daily commute.”
However, Senator Markey does not accept Tesla’s explanation. “Technically, solving interference problems costs almost nothing,” Markey said.
