It’s begun and Tesla is at the forefront of what I imagine may be a new automotive movement.
The company announced they are phasing out FM radio in their new Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. This shouldn’t be news, however, since back in 2020 Tesla got rid of AM radio in its cars due to “interference from the electric powertrain.” The reason for the cuts this time is cost. Tesla is the very first automaker to make this cut.
Right now, there is a bill with more than 300 house co-sponsors called the Every Vehicle Act. This hopes to make it a law every vehicle needs to come equipped with a standard AM radio installed as a safety feature.
Industry heads are voicing their concerns over Tesla’s decision. Jacob’s Media President Fred Jacobs stated, “It’s truly a case of an automaker not being in touch with its customer base. Yes, there are streaming ‘workarounds’ but as we know, broadcast communication infrastructure typically outlasts cell towers during most emergencies.” It doesn’t stop there. Many are taking to social media to show their disdain with Tesla.
The argument is simple. We live in a digital world. That’s easy to see. However, we’ve also seen that digital world come to a halt. When cell towers are out and the internet isn’t working, where do you turn? I live in the Midwest where tornados are as common as flowers in the spring. I’ve been in situations where my phone wasn’t working and the internet was down. You bet your booty I turned that radio on right away and listened to my friends on the air letting me know what streets where open, where damage had occurred, and what parts of my hometown were hit. This is absolutely a safety feature to have in vehicles.
To think AM radio isn’t a necessity and safety feature in vehicles is to have the utmost narrow mind when it comes to how fleeting the digital avenue can be.