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IT Home reported on October 31 that electric vehicle drivers arriving at public fast charging stations to recharge have found the charging spaces occupied by Waymo's driverless taxis. This has already happened in San Diego, California. According to local electric vehicle owners, they sometimes have to wait in line for an hour or find another charging station.
According to a Los Angeles Times report published on the 30th local time, Waymo is rapidly expanding its business in the United States and now operates in 15 cities. But as its fleet continues to grow, some car owners have encountered unexpected difficulties.
Waymo has dedicated vehicle maintenance and charging facilities, but some of its driverless taxis still use public fast charging stations.
One driver complained to the Los Angeles Times: “They come in large groups.”
Waymo said it has stationed staff at some public charging stations to help its vehicles enter and charge, while trying to avoid having too many of its vehicles use the same station at once.
IT Home learned from the report that a spokesperson also said some vehicles operated by human drivers use public chargers during breaks. Waymo gives priority to its own charging hubs, but building dedicated facilities in new markets often takes time.
The friction between Waymo and electric vehicle owners also reflects unexpected problems that arise when autonomous vehicles begin operating in cities.
Similar complaints have surfaced beyond San Diego. Electric vehicle owners in Nashville and St. Louis have also accused Waymo vehicles of occupying public chargers for extended periods. Last year, Santa Monica residents complained about the noise Waymo vehicles made when returning after nighttime operations: their parking sensors kept beeping and their lights kept flashing. San Francisco residents reported that Waymo vehicles even honked at one another in the middle of the night at an operations facility.
EVgo, a charging station operator that works with autonomous vehicles, explained that the chargers it operates in San Diego have always been open to both private vehicle owners and driverless taxis. Waymo's use of public chargers therefore does not violate the rules.
For ordinary car owners who rely on these stations to recharge, however, the fact that it is permitted does not make the situation any less frustrating.