Robotaxi Charging Lots Could Complicate San Francisco Housing Development

Multiple sites slated for housing development are now being turned into charging and storage lots for autonomous vehicles, making housing an unintended victim of the robotaxi revolution.

1 minute read

January 27, 2025, 10:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


White Waymo autonomous vehicle in parking area in San Francisco, California with Ghirardelli vintage sign in background.

Tada Images / Adobe Stock

The growth of autonomous taxis could be contributing to San Francisco’s housing crisis, according to an article by J.K. Dineen in the San Francisco Chronicle.

“From Jackson Square to the Mission to SoMa, some San Francisco property owners are trading in risky, but potentially lucrative, housing developments for the relatively easy money offered by the autonomous vehicle industry’s growing need for fleet charging lots.” Now, hundreds of proposed housing units are being nixed in favor of robotaxi charging lots.

Dineen points out that charging stations are themselves expensive and require a Planning Commission hearing. “For developers looking to make long-term income from AV fleet charging, that level of investment could be worthwhile. But it’s probably not attractive as a temporary use while a builder is waiting for interest rates and construction costs to come down to the level where housing works.” However, in a city where housing development can already be prohibitively expensive, AV charging lots, operated by multi-billion-dollar companies with deep pockets, could become a major competitor for urban real estate.

Wednesday, January 22, 2025 in San Francisco Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Black and white photos of camp made up of small 'earthquake shacks' in Dolores Park in 1906 after the San Francisco earthquake.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees

More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

April 15, 2025 - Charles F. Bloszies

Millbrae BART station.

HSR Reaches Key Settlement in Northern California City

The state’s high-speed rail authority reached an agreement with Millbrae, a key city on the train’s proposed route to San Francisco.

April 24 - San Diego Post

Spiral ramp on exterior of parking garage in downtown Spokane, Washington.

Washington State Legislature Passes Parking Reform Bill

A bill that would limit parking requirements for new developments is headed to the governor’s desk.

April 24 - OPB

Missouri state capitol dome in Jefferson City, MO.

Missouri Law Would Ban Protections for Housing Voucher Users

A state law seeks to overturn source-of-income discrimination bans passed by several Missouri cities.

April 24 - Missouri Independent