Waymo Finds Way Around US Restrictions Targeting Chinese Cars

This week, the President The outgoing administration of Joe Biden has finalized legislation to ban all Chinese and Russian automotive technology from American roads – a dramatic crackdown that reaches far, especially on the road. increase sales of China’s low-cost EVs.

The US Department of Commerce has said that the regulations were initially requested in SeptemberIt is important to protect American vehicles from foreign enemies and interference. “Imagine if there were thousands or thousands of Chinese-engined cars on American roads that could be stopped at the same time by someone in Beijing,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said last year. Chinese and Russian software bans will begin in 2027, with hardware bans to follow in 2029.

On paper, that may sound like a disaster for That’s it. Alphabet’s self-driving technology announced in 2021 that carmaker Zeekr – a subsidiary of Chinese car giant Geely – will develop the next generation of robotaxis.

In fact, prototypes have already been tested on the roads in San Francisco and Phoenix, with Zeekr officials telling reporters earlier this month that it will begin offering a version of the car, called the Zeekr RT, later this year.

Despite the new rules, Waymo is confident that the deal will not be affected and plans to move forward as planned.

“We do not expect the final rule to affect how we use the Zeekr platform,” Waymo spokesman Ethan Teicher wrote in an email to WIRED.

In a statement submitted to the Commerce Department last year, Waymo said its vehicles do not need to comply with the new rules because all the connected technology it has is American and comprehensive.

The cars Waymo receives from Geely, it says, are “basic cars,” stripped of telematics and any other technology that would allow the car to communicate with, or send data to, its manufacturer. Only “authorized operators” install Waymo’s self-driving technology in the vehicles when they are shipped to the United States.

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

Today, Waymo operates its self-driving cars using a modified version Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicles in metro Phoenix, Arizona, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Atlanta and Austin are expected to join later this year.

The company too signed a contract with Hyundai using modified Izoni 5s in its passenger ships later this year.

While Waymo remains confident new cars -which will have more legs, a higher roof, and a lower step that will make the cars accessible to more passengers – will break the ban, it is not yet known if they will be needed new, 100 percent Chinese electric car priceswhich the Biden administration completed last fall.

“We’re keeping a close eye on pricing, but Waymo’s plans are on track,” confirms Teicher.