This week, President The outgoing Joe Biden administration is finalizing effective rules banning all Chinese and Russian-linked vehicle technology from American roads—a historic setback with far-reaching consequences, not least for the growing trade in inexpensive Chinese EVs.
The US Commerce Department has argued that the rules, first proposed in September, are needed to protect American vehicles from foreign enemies and interference. “Imagine if there were thousands or hundreds of thousands of Chinese-linked vehicles on American roads that could be disabled immediately or simultaneously by someone in Beijing,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said last year. Chinese and Russian software bans will begin in 2027, with hardware restrictions following in 2029.
On paper, that might sound like a disaster for Waymo. Self-driving developer Alphabet announced in 2021 that automaker Zeekr—a subsidiary of Chinese auto giant Geely—will build its next-generation robotaxis.
In fact, pre-production models are already being tested on the streets of San Francisco and Phoenix, and Zeekr officials told reporters earlier this month that it will begin delivering a production version of the vehicle, called the Zeekr RT, later this year.
Despite the new rules, Waymo is confident that this partnership will not be affected and intends to move forward as planned.
“We do not think the final rule will impact our use of the Zeekr platform,” Waymo spokesman Ethan Teicher wrote in an email to WIRED.
In comments sent to the Department of Commerce last year, Waymo said its vehicles should not be subject to the new rules because all the technology on board is American and installed.
The cars Waymo is getting from Geely are, it says, “basic cars,” stripped of telematics systems and any other technology that would allow the car to communicate with, or send data to, its manufacturer. Only “authorized personnel” install Waymo’s self-driving technology in vehicles after they are brought into the United States.
The Commerce Department did not respond to WIRED’s questions about Waymo’s Zeekr partnership.
Today, Waymo operates its ride-hailing service using Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicles in metro Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Atlanta and Austin are expected to join later this year.
The company has also signed a deal with Hyundai to use the modified Ioniq 5s in its fleet later this year.
While Waymo remains confident that its new cars—which will have more legroom, a higher roof, and a lower step that will make the cars accessible to more passengers—will bypass the ban, it’s still unclear whether they will be 100 percent new. prices on Chinese electric cars, which the Biden administration finalized last fall.
“We’re keeping a close eye on pricing, but Waymo’s plans are on track,” confirmed Teicher.
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