Waymo is finding a way around US restrictions aimed at Chinese cars

This week, President The outgoing Joe Biden administration has finalized rules that effectively ban all China- and Russia-related vehicle technology from American roads — a historic reversal with far-reaching effects, not least in the growing trade of cheap Chinese EVs.

The US Department of Commerce has argued that the rules, first proposed in Septemberthey are needed to protect American vehicles from foreign adversaries and interference. “Imagine if there were thousands or hundreds of thousands of China-connected vehicles on American roads that could be immediately and simultaneously disabled by someone in Beijing,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said last year. past Bans against Chinese and Russian software will begin in 2027, with hardware restrictions to follow in 2029.

On paper, it can be a disaster Waymo. Alphabet’s self-driving technology developer announced in 2021 that automaker Zeekr — a brand majority owned by Chinese auto giant Geely — would build its next-generation robotaxis.

In fact, pre-production models are already being tested on the roads in San Francisco and Phoenix, with Zeekr officials telling reporters earlier this month that they 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 anticipate that the final rule will impact our use of the Zeekr platform,” Waymo spokesman Ethan Teicher wrote in an email to WIRED.

In comments submitted to the Commerce Department last year, Waymo argued that its vehicles should not be subject to the new rules because all the connected technology on board is American owned and adapted.

The vehicles Waymo receives from Geely, he says, are “basic vehicles,” stripped of telematics systems and any other technology that would allow the vehicle to communicate with, or send data back to, its manufacturer. Only “authorized persons” install Waymo’s self-driving technology in cars after they are delivered to the United States.

The Commerce Department did not respond to WIRED’s questions about Waymo’s Zeekr partnership.

Today, Waymo operates its self-driving ride-hail service with modifications 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 too signed a deal with Hyundai to use modified Ioniq 5s in its ride-hailing fleet later this year.

While Waymo remains confident its new vehicles – which will have more legroom, a higher roof, and a low step that could make the vehicles accessible to more riders – will circumvent the ban, it is not yet clear if they could be subject to new, 100 percent tariffs on Chinese electric vehiclesthat the Biden administration finalized last fall.

“We’re monitoring the fees closely, but Waymo’s plans are on track,” confirms Teicher.