Waymo has significantly ramped up its lobbying efforts to persuade US regulators to clear the way for autonomous taxi services. The tech giant spent over $1 million on federal lobbying between April and June this year, more than doubling its spending from the previous year.

This move intensifies Waymo's competition with Uber, which is advocating a staged rollout of robotaxis alongside human drivers. Both companies are now lobbying aggressively in several US states and Washington DC, as politicians and labour groups warn that autonomous vehicles could displace drivers and undercut existing services.

Waymo has also hired the law firm Greenberg Traurig to bolster its advocacy for federal policies that would ease the rollout of robotaxis. In May, it increased its spending by 93% in the first half of 2026, slightly over $2 million, and is calling for a framework to streamline this process.

Their diverging legislative strategies have led to tension between Waymo and Uber, with reports suggesting that Waymo is exploring options to exit its partnership with Uber in Austin and Atlanta. Analyst Walter Piecyk at LightShed Partners commented: 'They’ve both stepped up lobbying and are pushing up against each other, which now appears to be hastening their divorce.'