Key facts
- A proposed bill in Washington D.C. would update the Autonomous Vehicle Act of 2012 to permit driverless testing and commercial operations.
- Uber opposes the bill, advocating for a hybrid model where robotaxis operate on ride-hailing networks that also include human drivers.
- Waymo supports the bill, believing it will facilitate safe AV deployment and support public transit and workers.
- The bill includes a proposed $0.15 per mile tax on robotaxi operators.
- The legislation aims to give the District Department of Transportation authority to issue driverless testing and deployment permits.
Uber and Waymo, two major players in the autonomous vehicle space, are on a collision course over proposed legislation in Washington D.C. that would permit driverless robotaxi operations. The bill, introduced by Councilmember Charles Allen, aims to update existing regulations to allow for both testing and commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles without a human safety operator.
Uber is actively lobbying against the bill in its current form, arguing that it would displace thousands of human drivers and grant Waymo a de facto monopoly. Instead, Uber advocates for a hybrid model, as outlined by its U.S. policy lead Javi Correoso, where consumers could choose between rides from human drivers or autonomous vehicles on a single platform, such as the Uber app. Correoso emphasized that regulatory frameworks should require the option for consumers to select human-driven Ubers.
Alphabet-owned Waymo, a proponent of the bill, contends that it will enable the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles while also supporting public transit, equitable access, and workers, without imposing undue restrictions on companies. The bill includes a proposed tax of $0.15 per mile for robotaxi operators, with the revenue intended to support public transit and workforce development for drivers at risk of job displacement.
Numerous stakeholders are expected to weigh in on the bill, including representatives from Tesla, Lyft, labor unions like the Teamsters and Service Employees International Union, disability rights groups, and government officials. An anti-robotaxi campaign, funded by entities potentially linked to labor unions, is also actively canvassing voters and engaging on social media.
The legislative fight in D.C. reflects a broader strategic battle for Uber, which is not only investing in and partnering with AV developers but also seeking to shape regulatory policy to protect its existing ride-hailing network. If the D.C. bill passes as is, Uber argues it would be effectively excluded from operating its robotaxi services. Conversely, if Uber's hybrid model is adopted, it could force AV developers like Waymo to integrate their services into existing ride-hailing platforms or employ human drivers alongside their autonomous fleets.