U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., was the one committee member to vote towards the invoice.
“Our important bill will ensure that all vehicles, including electric vehicles, are equipped with AM radio and have access to critical alerts during emergencies,” Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., mentioned in the course of the committee markup.
The invoice — opposed by main automakers and different business and know-how teams — has been steadily gaining assist and is now co-sponsored by not less than 27 Democratic and Republican senators.
In the House, a invoice by the identical identify led by U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., has 137 co-sponsors on either side of the aisle.
“Americans rely on a radio to provide them with safety alerts, news, talk radio and music. Unfortunately, several automakers have announced plans to take this important resource out of cars. That’s a big mistake,” Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, advised committee members.
At least seven automakers — BMW, Mazda, Polestar, Rivian, Tesla, Volkswagen and Volvo — don’t provide broadcast AM radio of their electrical automobiles, citing electromagnetic interference from EV batteries that may generate static, a high-frequency hum and different noise, and have an effect on the reception of AM radio alerts.
Ford Motor Co. beforehand mentioned it will not embody AM radio in any of its new fashions beginning in 2024 however reversed course in May “after speaking with policy leaders about the importance of AM broadcast radio as a part of the emergency alert system.”
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Zero Emission Transportation Association, Consumer Technology Association and TechNet oppose the laws.
In a letter despatched May 22 to Markey, Gottheimer and different lawmakers, the teams argued the AM radio mandate would “unnecessarily hinder progress in the automotive industry” and “has no bearing on the ability of drivers to receive emergency alerts.”
They argue drivers can entry digital AM programming via streaming and satellite tv for pc radio programs and might nonetheless obtain alerts via the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System in actual time.
If Congress had been to cross the mandate, it will “impede domestic EV manufacturing by demanding significant drivetrain redesigns and signal interference paneling,” The Zero Emission Transportation Association, whose members embody Tesla, Rivian and Lucid, wrote in a coverage temporary.
“In turn, this would add weight to the vehicle and cost the U.S. billions of dollars in decreased economic output and job loss,” the group mentioned.
Source: www.autonews.com