Waymo cars stranded on San Francisco streets as Fourth of July gridlock drains batteries

Waymo cars stranded on San Francisco streets turned into a holiday logistics problem as batteries drained during Fourth of July gridlock on Saturday. NBC News video verified at least a dozen stationary Waymo vehicles, including many Jaguar I-PACE models, lined up after fireworks from the Golden Gate Bridge. The company said vehicles’ batteries died while they were stuck in heavy traffic and that its roadside assistance team worked to clear them. A spokesperson cited major traffic disruptions, a high volume of travelers, and unplanned road closures that contributed to unexpected congestion. At least one vehicle was reportedly on a flatbed truck, and another caught fire after driving over fireworks set off by people; the company said no injuries were reported. Residents described long standstills and incidents involving pedestrians approaching vehicles with no drivers. City officials warned about heavy traffic and crowded transit afterward.