According to a press release from the Department of Law, some car manufacturers around the country are considering the removal of AM radio in electric cars. They cite electrical interference with the audio systems, making am radio signals sound buzzy and unpleasant.
Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor has joined 15 other states in an effort to keep AM radio receivers installed in new cars. Cathy Hiebert, Executive Director of the Alaska Broadcasters Association said, “Removing free, over the air AM radio would clearly hinder the business operations of Alaska am stations and more importantly, critically injure broadcasters’ ability to reach Alaska citizens in times of emergency. When the internet and power are out, radio and particularly AM radio is a lifeline to us all.”