The Waymo car flapped up during the Los Angeles protests. Here’s what you need to know about Waymo, its vehicles, and fire vulnerabilities:
LA protesters ignite Waymo Taxis, look at the ruins
Protesters set up a burning and burning autonomous taxi amid anti-ice protests in Los Angeles.
- Several Waymo driverless vehicles were destroyed during an anti-ice protest in Los Angeles.
- The fiery vehicle poses a threat that protesters may not have fully recognized because of their unique design.
- First responders and protesters may have been exposed to dangerous compounds that could be fatal at high concentrations.
The image of Waymo’s burning unmanned cars is becoming synonymous with the June 2025 Los Angeles protest. So, how did Waymo cars reach the scene of the protest in the first place, and why did the vehicle get targeted?
A Waymo spokesperson confirmed to USA Today on June 9 that the company temporarily suspended its service “from a wealth of attention” in downtown Los Angeles. Protesters demonstrate how they used Waymo vehicles in the midst of a controversy over immigration enforcement.
What is a Waymo car?
Waymo is a company under the Alphabet (Google) that develops driverless vehicle technology using cameras, radar and LIDAR sensors and advanced computer systems. Unmanned ride services have been launched in several major cities.
The Waymo Car is a company-owned vehicle and has technology that allows for self-driving. Passengers can summon Waymo vehicles to their locations and get on the vehicle to their intended destination without having to interact with the driver.
Where does Waymo work?
- Phoenix, Arizona
- San Francisco, California
- Los Angeles, California
- Austin, Texas
The autonomous ride hale service will soon be available in Atlanta, Georgia and Miami, Florida, according to the company’s website. It has been tested in over 15 American states.
Waymou driverless vehicle targeted by protesters in downtown Los Angeles
A YouTube video by Wall Street Journal News shows protesters huddled with burning Waymo drone cars. The vehicle is covered with anti-ice slogans. A masked person can be seen smashing the vehicle with a hammer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww2jlfowtji
According to the Wall Street Journal news video above, the vehicle was summoned to the scene. Waymo disputed this, saying the vehicle was present at the scene of the protest and was not summoned with the intention of burning. Their unique powertrain systems (motors and batteries) burn even hotter than internal combustion engines. Additionally, EV batteries can easily overheat and fire your car with extreme heat.
Electric vehicle fires can be more difficult to fire than internal combustion engine vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries are “thermal runways” and, according to Motrend, they do not require oxygen, so some have experienced chemical processes that don’t disappear as easily as gasoline fires.
So setting up Waymo Driverless EVS on Fire created a very troublesome situation for local governments.
“I think protests need to be a peaceful time. Whenever it degrades to the violence that’s the issue, it absolutely ruins the overall message,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a reporting interview.
How many Waymo cars were burned in Los Angeles during the protest?
At least five Waymo Jaguar I-Pace vehicles were destroyed during the Los Angeles protests. The new Jaguar I-Pace starts at a whopping $72,500. Therefore, the total cost of a destroyed Waymo driverless vehicle could exceed $362,500 before it accounts for the price of autonomous driving technologies such as Waymo radar and Lidar sensors.
According to Slate Magazine, Waymo’s autonomous driving technology can add $100,000 to the cost of a Jaguar I-Pace, thanks to the price of multiple sensors, cameras and advanced autonomous driving systems. If this estimate is accurate, the total loss to the vehicle could be close to $862,500.
Why the Los Angeles Waymo car fire was so dangerous
The lithium-ion battery fire was not the only risk for Americans during the 2025 Los Angeles protests. Hydrogen fluoride, a toxic and corrosive compound, has also been banished from burning Waymo driverless vehicles, Scientific American said. This compound can cause a person to vomit blood in just a few minutes.
Inhaling high concentrations of hydrogen fluoride can be fatal, so the burning Waymo car poses a fatal risk to people nearby. First responders to lithium-ion battery fires can develop difficulty breathing and throat burning while trying to eliminate the flame.
Ultimately, the events that took place on June 8 sparked a nationwide conversation that included the current administration’s immigration policy, protests and federal responses to the protests.