Waymo doubles spending on lobbying in robotaxi battle with Uber

August 21, 2026 | Source: Ars Technica AI

Tags: Waymo, Uber, autonomous vehicles, robotaxi, lobbying, Alphabet, AV regulation

Waymo spent more than $2 million on US federal lobbying in the first half of 2026 — a 93% year-over-year increase — as it pushes for a federal driverless taxi framework, putting it on a collision course with Uber's more gradual approach and potentially ending their partnership in Austin and Atlanta.

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Waymo dramatically escalated its Washington lobbying operation in 2026, spending over $2 million in the first six months — 93% more than the same period in 2025 — according to federal filings. Between April and June alone, the Alphabet subsidiary spent more than $1 million, putting it close to Uber's level and well ahead of Amazon's Zoox and Tesla in the autonomous vehicle lobbying race. The spending surge is tied directly to Waymo's push for a federal regulatory framework enabling faster rollout of fully driverless commercial services. Uber, meanwhile, is lobbying for a staggered approach where robotaxis operate alongside human drivers — a model that favors Uber's hybrid platform business. The divergence has strained their partnership, with reports indicating Waymo is exploring exit options from its Uber-operated services in Austin and Atlanta. At the state level, Waymo outspent Uber in both Washington DC and New York, where it invested more than $500,000 — double Uber's spend — after Governor Hochul scaled back pro-AV proposals earlier in 2026. To address labor concerns in New York, Waymo offered to establish a $20 million fund for drivers displaced by the technology. The lobbying race reflects a broader pattern: AV expansion is now as much a political and regulatory battle as a technology competition.