DC Autonomous Vehicle Bill: Uber vs Waymo Clash

Uber and Waymo have lined up on opposite sides of a proposed bill before the D.C. Council that would set the terms for autonomous vehicles to operate in Washington, D.C. The divide follows weeks of private correspondence and public maneuvering by the two companies.

Uber opposes the measure. The company argues that the bill would push human drivers out of the for-hire market and give Waymo an effective monopoly. In its place Uber has pressed for a hybrid system in which robotaxis would have to share a ride-hailing platform with human drivers.

Industry testimony at Monday hearing

A D.C. Council hearing on Monday brought in representatives from Lyft, Tesla, Uber and Waymo, plus groups focused on disability access, highway safety, labor and local business. Waymo, which has already logged the required 180 days and 250,000 miles of testing with safety operators inside the district, is among the few operators that generally support the bill as written. Tesla senior policy adviser India Herdman raised objections shared by several developers, including the 180-day and 250,000-mile testing thresholds, a $1 million application fee, a $5 million permit fee and a $0.15-per-mile tax. Tesla and others asked that miles driven in other jurisdictions count toward the mileage requirement.

Insiders say the hybrid model Uber favors has little chance of passage. If the current draft becomes law, Waymo would gain at least a six-month head start because it has already met the testing benchmarks.

Broader context on robotaxi policy fights

The D.C. debate is the latest sign that Uber and Waymo are moving apart after their earlier partnership showed signs of strain. The council continues to review the bill amid input from unions, safety advocates and city officials.