Waymo, the autonomous driving technology company under Alphabet, has announced that it has received its final delivery of Jaguar I-Pace SUVs. These vehicles are set to be retrofitted with advanced sensors and cutting-edge autonomous driving technology at Waymo's factory located in Arizona. Once completed, they will join the rapidly growing robotaxi fleet that Waymo operates across various markets.
In a recent blog post, Waymo revealed that it currently has 1,500 Jaguar I-Pace vehicles actively operating in its four primary markets: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin. The company has ambitious plans to expand its fleet by adding an additional 2,000 vehicles by 2026, which will bring the total fleet size to 3,500 robotaxis. This announcement provides a rare insight into the scale of Waymo's operations, especially as the company recently achieved an impressive average of 250,000 paid passenger trips per week.
Waymo is not stopping with its current markets; the company is also eyeing expansion into new cities, including Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, DC, with plans to launch in these locations by 2026. The Jaguar I-Pace has been a significant part of Waymo's fleet since the retirement of its Chrysler Pacifica minivans in 2023. Although Waymo initially projected having 20,000 I-Paces functioning as robotaxis, it appears the company has not met this ambitious target.
In addition to the I-Pace, Waymo is currently testing two new models: the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the all-electric Zeekr RT minivan. However, the company has not yet disclosed when these vehicles will be incorporated into its fleet. Waymo collaborates with Magna International, an auto engineering firm, to assemble its robotaxis at a state-of-the-art 239,000 square-foot factory in Mesa, Arizona. The final batch of Jaguar I-Paces will be assembled at this facility, which is expected to support Waymo’s growth into the next year.
Looking ahead, Waymo plans to develop its sixth generation of the “Waymo Driver” starting in 2026, which will debut in the Zeekr RT. The Zeekr brand is a subsidiary of Geely, one of China's largest automakers. The new robotaxi is being designed in Sweden, where Geely also owns the well-known Volvo brand. Once designed, these vehicles will be imported to Arizona for outfitting with essential hardware and software for autonomous driving capabilities. The first test vehicles began arriving in the U.S. last year.
To effectively adapt to multiple vehicle platforms, Waymo's Mesa factory is set to incorporate automated assembly lines and other efficiencies over time. When operating at full capacity, the factory is expected to produce tens of thousands of robotaxis annually. To ensure each vehicle is ready for service, Waymo has implemented new processes at the end of the assembly line for passenger validation and commissioning. According to Waymo spokesperson Chris Bonelli, each vehicle can autonomously drive itself into service and is ready to accept passenger pickups within just 30 minutes after leaving the factory.
Waymo’s recent announcement regarding its fleet expansion aligns with the competitive landscape of autonomous driving. Notably, Tesla is planning to launch its own robotaxi service in Texas and California later this year. Additionally, Waymo has recently partnered with Toyota to explore the potential for selling autonomous vehicles for personal ownership, indicating a strategic move to enhance its market presence in the autonomous transport sector.
