Pete Buttigieg, the US Secretary of Transportation, has recently addressed the issue of safeguarding AM radio in electric vehicles (EVs). During an interview on Washington Watch, he was questioned about the Department of Transportation’s approach towards automakers who are eliminating this radio frequency band.
According to Radio INK, Seven ex-FEMA administrators wrote to Congress members and Secretary Buttigieg in February, highlighting the significance of AM radio in the infrastructure of the National Public Warning System. This system, operated by FEMA, conveys emergency alerts and warning messages to the public during natural disasters and severe weather conditions.
“We certainly recognize the importance and the important role that AM radio has played and continues to play about people getting information that they need for safety, notably but not only when it comes to weather emergencies, and one thing we know about these times is that weather emergencies are becoming more frequent and more severe,” said Buttigieg.
Recently, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) unveiled a new initiative emphasizing the significance of AM radio in automobiles for news updates, community involvement, entertainment, and crucial public safety information.
“While I don’t know of a formal legal role that we have about that, it’s certainly something that will be on our mind as we remain in dialogue with the auto industry and related industries regarding transportation,” added Buttigieg.
