Waymo, Alphabet's driverless taxi division and the US market leader, is being held up by a delayed ruling from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which regulates paid passenger transport in the state. Because the regulator has yet to approve the company's application, Waymo cannot charge California passengers for rides in its newest vehicle, the Ojai — meaning those journeys are currently free and could remain so until at least late September. The delay also blocks Waymo from expanding its service into new areas of Northern and Southern California.

Waymo applied to the CPUC in January to widen its service area and add the Ojai cars to its fleet, but the process has drawn unusual controversy. In May the agency sought further detail on how Waymo handles emergencies — such as a December San Francisco power cut that stranded more than 60 vehicles — and how it prevents unaccompanied minors from riding, after a ride-hail drivers' union filed a complaint. The review has been extended to 25 September. The Ojai, Waymo's first purpose-built robotaxi, carries 13 cameras, six radars and four lidar sensors; its shell is made by China's Zeekr, though Waymo says US-built connected systems keep it clear of an incoming ban on Chinese automotive tech.