Chinese EVs blocked from US buyers are still pouring into Waymo's robotaxi fleet

Chinese electric vehicles blocked from U.S. buyers by high tariffs are still entering the country for Waymo's expanding robotaxi fleet, according to Forbes. U.S. tariffs on Chinese-built EVs total 127.5%, effectively shutting out regular American buyers even as companies such as BYD, Zeekr, and Xiaomi advance on pricing and technology. Industry observers expected Waymo to operate fewer than 1,000 Zeekr vans, but import records show more than 3,200 of the vehicles, sold in China as the CM1e, have arrived through Los Angeles since 2024, including more than 2,600 in 2026 alone. At the CM1e's Chinese sticker price of $39,000, tariffs could raise the cost to nearly $89,000 before adding self-driving equipment likely topping $10,000 per vehicle. Alphabet's self-driving unit has started using the Zeekr-built vans, called the Waymo Ojai, in cities including Los Angeles and San Francisco. Waymo said it had more than 100 of these vans in service, according to Forbes, and import data indicates that total could be just the start. Advanced EVs can enter for corporate fleets but not in a way that lowers fuel and maintenance costs for most families, the report said. Transportation is a major source of planet-warming pollution, and wider EV adoption is an important tool for cutting harmful air pollution near busy roads. Affordable EV competition can pressure the broader market to improve range, software, and pricing. High tariffs raise costs that wealthy tech companies may absorb, but most households cannot.