Questions remain as to how the vehicles have expanded into the area after five Waymo unmanned taxis burst into flames Sunday amid an anti-ice protest in downtown Los Angeles, costing the company hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Waymo eventually stopped services in the downtown after Los Angeles Police Department officials reportedly advised the company to do so.
Filmed by KTLA, all rows of vehicles on North Los Angeles Street near Arcadia Street were tagged with graffiti, and were seen engulfed in full flames as the air thickened.
It is unclear exactly how the protesters launched the car fire, but there have been reports of spray paint being used as an accelerator and video showing at least one autonomous vehicle explode.
Police eventually closed Los Angeles Avenue north of Arcadia and South Alameda Avenue, declaring illegal legislatures.
On June 9, 2025, multiple burnt Waymo vehicles are seen on the street after a night of protest in response to a federal immigration operation in Los Angeles. Los Angeles was hit by violent clashes between protesters and security forces on Monday, and the California governor pledged to suing President Donald Trump for the sale of the National Guard. Police were monitoring after cars were torched over the weekend and ordered people not to gather in downtown town where security forces fired tear gas at protesters. The protests in Los Angeles, home to a large Latino population, broke out on June 6th, sparked by immigrant raids, leading to dozens of arrests in which authorities say they are illegal immigrants and gang members. (Photo: Frederic J. Brown/AFP (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Following last night’s immigration raid protest, protesters destroy Waymo taxis as another burning is on fire near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Following last night’s immigration raid protest, another burn will be destroyed near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Following last night’s immigration raid protest, another burn will be destroyed near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Protesters are considered two Waymo Taxis Burns following last night’s immigration raid protest near the Metropolitan Detention Center in Downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Following last night’s immigration raid protest, two Waymo Taxis Burns are on fire near the Metropolitan Detention Center in Downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Following last night’s immigration raid protest, protesters are holding signs when Waymo taxis are burned near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Following last night’s immigration raid protest, protesters are waving flags as Waymo taxis are burning near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Protesters are reading “ICE: Outside Our Community” as Waymo Cars line the streets in Los Angeles, California on June 8, 2025. (Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images) On Sunday, June 8, 2025, it is on fire following last night’s immigration raid protest near the Metropolitan Detention Center in Downtown Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Following last night’s immigration raid protest, protesters are raising flags when Waymo taxis are burned near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Protesters waving flags as Waymo Cars lined up on the streets, burning and smashing in Los Angeles, California on June 8, 2025. (Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images) Protesters jump out of a burning Waymo taxi near the Metropolitan Detention Center in Downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Two Waymo Taxis are burning near the Metropolitan Detention Center in Downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Waymo taxis are burning after last night’s immigration raid protest near the Metropolitan Detention Center in Downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Waymo taxis are burning after last night’s immigration raid protest near the Metropolitan Detention Center in Downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Waymo taxis are burning after last night’s immigration raid protest near the Metropolitan Detention Center in Downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Waymo taxis are burning after last night’s immigration raid protest near the Metropolitan Detention Center in Downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Waymo taxis are burning after last night’s immigration raid protest near the Metropolitan Detention Center in Downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Waymo taxis are burning after last night’s immigration raid protest near the Metropolitan Detention Center in Downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Waymo taxis are burning after last night’s immigration raid protest near Thayer) Following last night’s immigration attack protest, protesters are waving flags as Waymo taxis were on fire near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Captain Elixcott of the Los Angeles Police Department said battery systems on electric vehicles are often difficult to water during fires, particularly in the chaotic environment of violent demonstrations on Sunday evenings.
According to Scott, the department had to allow cars to be burned, which increased the threat to public health.
LA drivers go on high-speed run amid violent downtown protests
“When lithium-ion batteries burn, they release hydrogen fluorescent gas, a highly toxic substance that can damage the lungs and can be absorbed into the skin,” explained Scott. “It can cause serious internal harm.”
Analysts estimated that Waymo unmanned cars cost between $150,000 and $200,000 each, according to a 2024 report in the Wall Street Journal.
With five destroyed Robotaxis, the cost of damages can be around $750,000-$1 million based on WSJ estimates.
As for how Waymo Taxis became downtown first, investigators and companies are considering whether protesters used the app to order cars and set fire to it.
Companies with downtown services suspended could lead to increased wait times in other parts of LA, and at this point there are words about when services will resume in the area.
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