This week, the President The outgoing administration of Joe Biden finalized rules effectively banning all Chinese and Russian-related vehicle technology from US roads – a historic action with far-reaching effects, not least growing business of cheap Chinese EVs.
The US Commerce Department has argued that the rule, first proposed on SeptemberThey are necessary to protect American vehicles from foreign adversaries and interference. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said last year, “Imagine if there were thousands or hundreds of thousands of Chinese-connected vehicles on American roads that could be immediately and simultaneously disabled by someone in Beijing.” Sanctions against Chinese and Russian software will begin in 2027, with hardware restrictions coming into effect in 2029.
On paper, it might sound like a disaster waymoAlphabet's self-driving tech developer announced in 2021 that automaker Zikr—a brand owned by Chinese automotive giant Geely—will build its next generation of robotaxis.
In fact, preproduction models are already in testing on the roads in San Francisco and Phoenix, with Zeeker executives telling reporters earlier this month that it plans to begin delivering a production version of the vehicle, called Zeeker RT, later this year. Will give.
Despite the new regulations, Waymo is confident that this partnership will not be affected and intends to proceed as planned.
“We do not believe the final rule will impact our use of the Zeeker 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 fitted.
The vehicles Waymo receives from Geely, it says, are “base vehicles,” which do not include telematics systems and any other technology that allows the vehicle to communicate with, or send data back to, its manufacturer. Only “authorized personnel” install Waymo's self-driving technology in cars after delivery in the United States.
The Commerce Department did not respond to WIRED's questions about Waymo's Zikr partnership.
Today, Waymo operates its self-driving ride-hail service using modified Jaguar I-Pace Electric vehicles in metro Phoenix, Arizona, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Atlanta and Austin are expected to join later this year.
company also Signed an agreement with Hyundai to use modified ionic 5s to its ride-hailing fleet later this year.
While Waymo is confident of new vehicles -Which will have more leg room, higher rooflines and lower stairs to make the vehicles accessible to more riders -Will lift the ban, it's still unclear whether they can be subject to it New, 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric vehiclesWhich was finalized by the Biden administration last autumn.
“We're monitoring the tariffs closely, but Waymo's plans are on track,” Teicher confirmed.