Google doesn't publicly disclose the specific operational cost of Google Street View. It's likely part of their overall Google Maps budget, which itself isn't broken out financially. Here's why it's hard to pinpoint the exact cost:

• Fleet Maintenance: There's the cost of maintaining the Street View cars themselves, including gas, upkeep, and specialized camera equipment.
• Manpower: There are driver salaries (though hired through agencies), along with potential costs for post-processing captured images.
• Technology: There's the expense of developing and maintaining the software used to capture, process, and display Street View imagery.

While the exact cost remains unknown, here are some things that might influence the overall budget:

• Fleet Size: The number of Street View cars operating globally definitely impacts the cost.
• Data Processing: The massive amount of image data needs processing and storage, which comes with a price tag.
• Deployment Strategy: Whether Google uses full-time employees, contracts with driving services, or utilizes a hybrid approach can affect spending.

Overall, the cost of Google Street View is likely significant, but the exact figure remains a mystery.