Tesla is removing built-in AM and FM radio from its new budget models. According to MotorTrend, the 2026 Model 3 Standard and Model Y Standard will ship without over-the-air radio tuners, marking the first time a mainstream automaker has dropped both AM and FM across these trims.
Buyers will instead use Bluetooth or app-based streaming. This change confirms that Tesla is removing radio hardware from these lower-priced vehicles while keeping a basic connectivity package.
In specs disclosed, Tesla listed only a Bluetooth “Basic Connectivity” package, with no AM/FM tuner. The 2026 Model 3 Standard is priced at $36,990.
The move drew pushback from the National Association of Broadcasters, which said, “Free local radio is not a luxury but an essential service,” adding that AM/FM remains a trusted lifeline when internet service fails during disasters. Meanwhile, a bipartisan bill in Congress with support from more than 340 lawmakers would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to mandate AM radio reception in all new passenger cars if enacted.
Listening habits still favor broadcast. Edison Research reports that AM/FM accounts for more than one-third of U.S. daily audio time, with 31% coming from over-the-air reception. As Tesla removes radio tuners from its budget models, the company leans on streaming while federal policymakers weigh whether AM must remain standard equipment.
BY HOONSIK WOO [woo.hoonsik@koreadaily.com]
