New York Blocks Waymo's Statewide Robotaxi Ambitions

Governor Hochul withdraws proposal to allow autonomous vehicles in the state.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Waymo's plans to deploy robotaxis across New York state have been halted after Governor Kathy Hochul withdrew a proposal that would have enabled autonomous vehicles to operate in the state. The move effectively blocks Waymo's ambitions to expand its self-driving taxi service beyond its current testing grounds.

Why it matters

Waymo has been one of the leaders in the autonomous vehicle industry, but this setback in New York limits its ability to scale its robotaxi service to new markets. The decision highlights the regulatory challenges facing self-driving companies as they seek to deploy their technology more broadly.

The details

Waymo had been pushing for the proposal that would have allowed its autonomous vehicles to operate statewide in New York. However, Governor Hochul ultimately decided to withdraw the plan, denying Waymo the ability to expand its robotaxi service beyond its current testing areas in the state.

  • On February 19, 2026, Governor Kathy Hochul withdrew the proposal that would have enabled autonomous vehicles to operate in New York state.

The players

Waymo

An American autonomous driving company and a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York who withdrew the proposal to allow autonomous vehicles to operate in the state.

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The takeaway

This decision in New York highlights the ongoing regulatory challenges facing autonomous vehicle companies as they seek to expand their services to new markets. Waymo's setback in the state underscores the need for clear and consistent policies around self-driving technology.