Electric vehicle owners in several major US cities, including San Diego, Nashville, and St. Louis, report that Waymo robotaxis are frequently occupying public charging stations. Local drivers in San Diego have noted wait times of up to an hour to access charging infrastructure due to the presence of these autonomous vehicles.
Waymo currently operates its robotaxi service across 15 US cities. While the company primarily utilizes its own charging facilities, it acknowledges using public points when necessary, particularly when expanding into new markets where proprietary infrastructure is still under development.
To manage the situation, Waymo stated that it deploys staff to certain public locations to prevent vehicle congestion. The company also noted that its fleet, which includes Jaguar I-Pace models and Zeekr vans, may use public chargers during breaks, though internal centers remain the primary charging priority.
Charging network operator EVgo confirmed that its stations are open to both private electric vehicles and robotaxis to maintain high utilization rates. While the practice is legal, it has become a source of frustration for private electric vehicle drivers who compete for limited charging spots.
