Who Owns Waymo?

Waymo operates an all-electric fleet of Jaguar I-Pace vehicles, producing zero tailpipe emissions. The company reports that its shared autonomous service prevents an estimated 415 tons of CO2 emissions weekly compared to personal vehicle use.

Waymo developed an Avoided Emissions Methodology to quantify emissions averted by its shared, electric, autonomous service. The methodology draws from industry standards to measure the environmental benefits of shared electric mobility.

Approximately 36% of San Francisco riders have used Waymo to connect to public transit including BART, Muni, and CalTrain, according to the company's survey data. This suggests autonomous vehicles can complement rather than compete with public transportation.

Waymo partners with local organizations to source clean energy in its operational markets, including the Bay Area, Phoenix, Austin, and Los Angeles. The company reports greenhouse gas emissions under Alphabet's consolidated annual carbon reporting.

Waymo's autonomous driving technology has the potential to improve mobility for people who cannot drive, including elderly individuals and people with disabilities.

Waymo received its third consecutive Global Recognition Award in 2026 for advancements in autonomous driving technology and impact on the future of transportation.

Waymo One received the first trophy at the ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle Technology Expo International Awards, recognizing its provision of more than 250,000 paid trips per week across multiple cities.

The company's safety record has been acknowledged by regulatory bodies and industry organizations. Waymo publishes safety impact analyses and data sharing reports, establishing transparency standards for the autonomous vehicle industry.

School Bus Passing Software Recall (December 2025): Waymo issued a voluntary software recall after reports that its self-driving taxis illegally passed stopped school buses. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation in October 2025 after WXIA-TV in Atlanta aired video showing a Waymo vehicle driving around a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm deployed. Waymo deployed a software update to address the issue.

Software Recall (May 2025): Waymo recalled 1,212 autonomous vehicles due to a software issue that could cause minor collisions with roadside barriers such as gates and chains. The recall highlighted the challenge of programming autonomous vehicles to handle all real-world edge cases.

Texas Weather Pause (May 2026): Waymo temporarily paused service in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Atlanta due to heavy rain and flooded roads. The pause raised questions about the ability of autonomous vehicles to operate in severe weather conditions, a key limitation as the company expands nationally.

Regulatory Scrutiny in Texas: Waymo vehicles were cited for passing stopped school buses in Austin, prompting Texas lawmakers and federal regulators to examine how autonomous vehicles interact with school buses, emergency vehicles, and traffic signals. The incidents contributed to ongoing discussions about updating traffic regulations for autonomous vehicles.

Competition and Safety Standards: As Waymo faces competition from Tesla's Cybercab and Amazon's Zoox, safety incidents have drawn scrutiny of the company's testing methodologies. The pressure to scale operations quickly while maintaining safety standards has created tension between commercial expansion and thorough validation.