DAB+ now standard in most new cars in Europe, research finds

DAB+ radio came as standard in 95% of new vehicles sold in key European markets in 2021, according to figures recently released by WorldDAB.  

These results reflect the implementation into national legislatures of the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC), which, from December 2020, requires all new vehicle radios sold in the EU to be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio.

These figures reinforce the findings of the recent Car Buyers Survey by Edison Research, which found that 90% of survey respondents say a broadcast radio tuner should be standard equipment in every car.

Several new EU countries surveyed for the first time are already on a par with more established DAB+ markets and had a high percentage of new vehicles sold with DAB+ fitted standard. These countries included Austria (with 94% of new vehicles sold in 2021 having DAB+ as standard), the Czech Republic (93%), Poland (92%) and Spain (91%).

Referring to the figures, Patrick Hannon, President of WorldDAB, said, “For broadcasters and listeners, there is a rapidly growing installed base of cars with DAB+. This applies to established digital radio markets and countries at earlier development stages. It is clear that DAB+ is the future of broadcast radio in Europe.”