Waymo robotaxis face criticism for occupying public EV charging stations in San Diego. EV drivers have reportedly faced waits of up to an hour as Waymo vehicles use shared fast-charging facilities, highlighting infrastructure pressures from expanding autonomous fleets. Prefer on Google Waymo robotaxis are using public fast-charging stations in San Diego, California, alongside privately owned electric vehicles, as the autonomous ride-hailing company continues expanding its operations across the United States. Some local EV drivers have reported delays at charging locations, with waits of up to an hour, according to the Los Angeles Times. The use of shared charging facilities reflects the infrastructure requirements of operating electric vehicle fleets across multiple cities. While Waymo maintains dedicated depots for vehicle charging and maintenance, public charging networks also serve as an additional option in markets where private facilities may take time to establish. Waymo uses public networks alongside dedicated depots. Waymo, which is owned by Alphabet, currently provides ride-hailing services in 15 US cities. Its fleet includes Jaguar I-Pace vehicles and Zeekr vans, some of which are also operated by human drivers during certain periods. The Los Angeles Times reported that some EV drivers in San Diego have encountered groups of Waymo vehicles at public charging stations. One driver described the frequency of their arrivals to the newspaper: "They come in droves." Waymo said it has personnel at some public charging locations to assist vehicles as they arrive and takes steps to avoid having multiple robotaxis gather at the same station. The company also said it prioritises its own charging hubs. However, establishing dedicated facilities can require time when launching operations in new markets, meaning public charging networks may support fleet operations during the expansion process. Charging access reports in other cities. Similar concerns about Waymo vehicles using public charging infrastructure have been raised by EV drivers in Nashville and St. Louis through social media posts. The company's operations have also prompted other local reports. Residents in Santa Monica previously raised concerns about noise from vehicles returning from overnight shifts, including beeping parking sensors and flashing lights. In San Francisco, residents have reported Waymo vehicles honking near a depot during nighttime hours. These reports reflect some of the operational considerations associated with deploying larger autonomous vehicle fleets in urban areas. EVgo confirms shared access to San Diego chargers. EVgo told the Los Angeles Times that its charging stations in San Diego are available to both private EV owners and robotaxis. Waymo vehicles are therefore permitted to use the network under the same general access arrangements as other electric vehicles. The situation highlights the role of public charging networks in supporting different types of EV users, including individual motorists and commercial fleets. As ride-hailing operators expand their electric vehicle operations, charging demand may increase at locations that already serve private drivers. Additional public fast-charging capacity and the development of dedicated fleet facilities could help accommodate this demand. Waymo has said it prioritises its private charging depots, while its use of public stations provides another charging option as the company enters new markets.

Waymo expands to Torrance, Manhattan Beach and other corners of L.A. County. Nov. 3, 2026 9 AM PT See more from the L.A. Times in Google Search. Set Los Angeles Times as preferred Waymo expanded its Los Angeles service area on Tuesday, adding three South Bay neighborhoods to the 210-square-mile region where the robotaxis roam. Riders can now travel to Torrance, El Segundo, and Manhattan Beach in a Waymo driverless taxi, but they still won't be able to call a ride to or from Los Angeles International Airport. The Mountain View-based company also added high-demand destinations to its network, including Universal Studios and The Beverly Hills Hotel. In May, Waymo launched its next-generation taxi dubbed the Ojai, which is cheaper to deploy and better equipped for extreme weather conditions. Sept. 30, 2026 As Waymo's fleet grows, so does the number of accidents involving its vehicles. Crashes involving Waymo taxis tripled last year in L.A. County, according to a Times review of autonomous vehicle crash data filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The vehicles still had relatively few incidents, and most were fender benders. Around 80% of the crashes reported in the county this year resulted in no apparent injuries, 15% caused possible injuries, and fewer than 1% caused a suspected serious injury. Waymo's crash rate is falling, notably, with the company reporting fewer crashes per million miles driven each year since 2023. The robotaxis arrived in San Diego for the first time over the summer, around the same time the company also expanded into Tampa, Las Vegas and Denver. Some local officials in San Diego objected to Waymo's presence and asked the state for more authority over when and where the taxis can be deployed. In addition to the new Los Angeles destinations, Waymo expanded its San Diego service area north to La Jolla on Tuesday. The Times reported last month that Waymo's electric vehicles have been taking up space at public charging stations in San Diego County. Oct. 30, 2026 The company also added more square miles to its service areas in Nashville, Orlando and San Francisco, including a new BART connection at Berryessa Station. Waymo said they are in discussions with airport officials about serving riders at LAX. Last year, a Los Angeles World Airports representative said LAX would move to integrate Waymo taxis once the automated Skylink people mover has been completed. The people mover has been subject to years of delays since 2023 and will now open in February at the earliest. Waymo has offered fully autonomous rides in San Francisco since 2022 and in Los Angeles since 2024. The robotaxis operate in 15 cities across the U.S. More to read. Inside the business of entertainment. The Wide Shot brings you news, analysis and insights on everything from streaming wars to production - and what it all means for the future. By continuing, you agree to its Terms of Service, which include arbitration and a class action waiver. You agree that Los Angeles Times and its third-party vendors may collect and use your information, including through cookies, pixels and similar technologies, for the purposes set forth in its Privacy Policy such as personalizing your experience and ads. Caroline Petrow-Cohen is a Business reporter at the Los Angeles Times covering electric vehicles and aviation. She is a graduate of Duke University, where she studied journalism, English and environmental science and policy.