Waymo doubles its lobbying budget as robotaxi rivalry with Uber heats up

Waymo disclosed that it allocated more than $1 million to lobbying the federal government from April through June, more than double the amount it spent in the comparable period a year earlier and bringing its total spending for the first half of 2026 to just over $2 million. The company is pressing for a federal regulatory framework that would permit the rapid deployment of fully autonomous taxi services, a stance that contrasts with Uber’s preference for a phased rollout where robotaxis share the road with human drivers.

This strategic divergence has strained the partnership between the two firms, prompting Waymo to consider exiting Uber’s operations in Austin and Atlanta. Both firms have stepped up lobbying in Washington, D.C., and multiple states after encountering political and labor opposition that stalled expansion into markets like New York and Chicago. Analyst Walter Piecyk of LightShed Partners said the increased lobbying “appears to be hastening their divorce.” Waymo also hired the law firm Greenberg Traurig in May to bolster its lobbying efforts, joining a list of other Washington-based firms representing the company.