The D.C. Council is considering a proposed bill that would set rules for autonomous vehicles in the U.S. capital. Behind the scenes, a battle is raging between two mobility giants: Uber and Waymo. According to documents and testimony gathered, Uber strongly opposes the bill, arguing it would give Waymo a de facto monopoly. Meanwhile, Waymo, which has already logged test miles in the city, sees the proposal as an opportunity to enter the market with a competitive edge.
Uber's hybrid strategy to counter Waymo
Uber has proposed an alternative 'hybrid' system that would require robotaxis to operate on ride-hailing platforms alongside human drivers. Insiders say this solution has little chance of becoming law, but if passed, it would force companies like Waymo to either integrate their vehicles into apps like Uber or maintain mixed fleets with human drivers, undermining years of investment. Monday's public hearing featured representatives from Lyft, Tesla, Uber, and Waymo, as well as disability rights advocates, business groups, and unions.
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Tesla and other developers challenge entry costs
The bill imposes stringent requirements: 180 days and 250,000 miles of mandatory testing, a $1 million application fee, a $5 million permit fee, and a $0.15-per-mile tax. India Herdman, Tesla's senior policy adviser, echoed concerns from multiple AV developers, asking that testing miles accumulated in other jurisdictions be counted. Waymo, which has already surpassed both thresholds through tests in D.C., would enjoy at least a six-month head start over competitors.
Uber's $14.8 billion Delivery Hero acquisition consolidates its position
Parallel to the regulatory battle, Uber announced a $14.8 billion deal to acquire Germany's Delivery Hero. The transaction, which will take time to overcome regulatory hurdles, will double Uber's delivery footprint, adding nearly 100 markets across Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. In a separate deal, Delivery Hero sold its business in 14 markets already covered by Uber Eats to SSW Partners for $1.6 billion.
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The robotaxi debate in Washington is just the latest chapter in a broader war over the future of mobility. While Waymo pushes for favorable regulation, Uber seeks to preserve its intermediary role. The Council's upcoming vote will be crucial. For more on tech controversies, read about the rising backlash against camera smart glasses that has sparked celebrity and activist mobilization. For broader context on autonomous vehicles, see the Wikipedia page on autonomous vehicles.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/19/techcrunch-mobility-the-battle-over-robotaxi-rules
