California city goes to war with Waymo after it became next target for controversial robotaxis

San Diego is demanding the state give it control over how Waymo can operate after the company’s driverless ride-hailing fleet launched in the city on September 1.The city council voted 8-0 on Monday to pass a resolution calling for control locally over robotaxis roaming the streets, after the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved Waymo’s application for the city outside of local authority, The Times of San Diego reported.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.

Please provide a valid email.By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Never miss a story During the meeting, residents and several on council members expressed concerns self-driving cars in the city.“This is definitely not an anti-technology resolution; it’s not an anti-innovation resolution; this is about people,” said councilmember Sean Elo Rivera.Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, who also sits on the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, worried about how Waymo would impact taxi drivers at the airport.“That is one of the last places that taxi drivers can make a living,” she said.During a presentation, clips were played showing the driverless cars blocking first responders or stopped in the middle of traffic. “This is unacceptable,” von Wilpert said.“When our firefighters, our police officers, our ambulance drivers, our EMTs are responding to a 911 life or death emergency, every second counts.

… Nothing should be in their way.Not a company, not an algorithm, not an autonomous driverless vehicle.”Adam Lane, a state and local policy manager at Waymo, tried to ease concerns by saying the company underwent a review by the CPUC in 2025.“Thousands of safe trips have already been completed,” Lane said, pointing to company data showing 94% fewer serious injury crashes.“We are deeply invested in local collaboration, having already trained nearly 300 S...