Why do electric car manufacturers remove AM radio?

According to SlashGear , most explanations for the problem stem from the fact that electric motors on EVs can interfere with AM frequencies, creating background noise and poor reception. So BMW recently issued a statement saying that they chose to remove AM radio receivers from their electric vehicles “rather than disappoint customers with reception and noise.”

Volkswagen believes Stellantis' anti-jamming solution is unreasonable

However, experts say that signal interference is just an excuse because it is entirely possible to overcome it, because electromagnetic interference can be controlled with shielding cables, filters, and careful placement of electrical components in the car. Dodge, Ram, and other parent companies, Stellantis, are moving radios away from electrical components and adding electromagnetic shielding. However, Volkswagen has spoken out against such measures, citing the cost and increased weight that would reduce range.

Some experts believe that the reason for the removal of AM radio from electric vehicles stems from the decline of traditional radio listenership due to alternatives like satellite radio and music streaming services. Even if they are fans of FM radio, they may not have touched any AM stations.

Amplitude modulation (AM) frequencies are known to travel much farther than FM and have long been considered the de facto platform for distributing information during natural disasters and emergencies. According to AM radio CEO Jerry Chapman, when the power goes out and cellular networks go down, car radios are often the only way people can get information, sometimes for days.

Despite its importance, the service is slowly becoming obsolete. Automaker Ford initially removed AM radio from the F-150 Lightning and 2023 Mustang Mach-e after data showed that less than 5% of its customers listened to the service. The company even removed AM radio from the gas-powered 2024 Mustang. CEO Jim Farley later said Ford had decided to backtrack and bring AM radio to all three models.

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