It’s a feature that has been ubiquitous for decades, but carmakers are arguing it could end up costing billions to keep it around. The Center for Automotive Research has released a report finding that keeping AM radios in EVs could cost US manufacturers $US3.8 billion by 2030. The report has the support of the US’s largest carmakers.
The added cost comes from the excess insulation required to shield AM radio components from interference within the EV. However, the report claims that costs are not as high as expected, as other electrical components also require some form of shielding too. It’s worth noting that The Center for Automotive Research is an independent group backed by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation , a lobby group representing nearly every car manufacturer that sells vehicles in the US.