A dispute over a Waymo charging station has evolved into a legal standoff between the nation’s leading robotaxi company and a Southern California city.
The conflict began in earnest in November, when the Santa Monica City Council voted unanimously to order Waymo’s charging provider, Voltera Power, to cease operations between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Nearby residents had complained of the electric cars making too much noise as they moved around the site and were serviced.
The city’s order prompted Waymo and Voltera to sue Santa Monica last month. The city promptly countersued, according to the Los Angeles Times.
It is the first serious dispute over robotaxi-charging operations — an activity that is poised to grow as driverless cars from providers like Waymo, Tesla and Zoox show up in more cities and congregate at 24-hour charging stations.
