The new model car year has launched and several of the biggest brands in the U.S. are once again showcasing that AM radio and electric vehicles are compatible. Ford Motor Company and Toyota Motor North America confirm all of their EVs continue to be equipped with AM despite complaints by some other carmakers that the new vehicle technology causes interference with radio reception and justify removing the option from dashboards.
Ford reps say there that AM continues to be available in Mustang Mach-e and F-150 Lightning electric pickups as in the prior model year. The carmaker made headlines two years ago when CEO Jim Farley announced that Ford would reverse course and keep AM in its electric vehicles, despite saying earlier they were dropping the option. Months later, a software update returned AM in dashboards.
Meanwhile, a spokesman confirms all 2025 Toyota and Lexus vehicles currently on sale include AM/FM and HD Radio, including the Toyota bZ4X and the Lexus RZ – both of which are pure battery electric vehicles. Toyota never pulled AM out, so it wasn’t in a position to return the feature to dashboards. But in the past, the company has said that electromagnetic interference caused by the batteries used in EVs is a concern, and that kept the company from committing to future model years.
Both Ford and Toyota are not making any long-term commitments to keep AM in dashboards beyond the current model year. Both companies have pointed out that they offer drivers a variety of ways to access radio programming, including through streaming services.
Chevrolet reps didn’t respond to an email, but its website shows AM also remains in the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV, Blazer EV, and Silverado EV.
Other brands that have kept AM in the EVs include Nissan, whose 2025 Leaf and Ariya models both keep both AM/FM front and center in their dashboards. Kia’s 2025 Niro EV has an AM/FM radio paired with satellite radio. Hyundai’s latest Ioniq and Kona models do the same. Subaru’s 2025 Solterra also has AM alongside FM. Land Rover’s EV models come with HD Radio, while Mitsubishi Motors has AM/FM as a standard feature in its 2025 Outlander hybrid SUVs. Honda has said that its EVs, both AM and FM will be featured since the models were co-developed with General Motors utilizing GM’s pre-existing Ultium platform.
Radio’s Focus Remains On Washington
The continued availability of AM in several electric vehicle models comes as the radio industry gears up for a new push in Washington to have rules adopted that would require the feature in all vehicles sold in the US. Even as several models still offer AM alongside FM, broadcasters say there remains a risk that some carmakers will change their offering in future model years.
Despite bipartisan majorities in both the House and Senate last session, the proposed AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act failed to win approval by the time the last session of Congress drew to a close. Supporters have not yet said whether they will reintroduce the bill in its previous form, but National Association of Broadcasters President Curtis LeGeyt has made it clear that the industry isn’t giving up. He said last week that “preserving AM radio’s essential role in cars” is among the issues they are committed to working with the newly-elected congressional leadership on.
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