Expanding its robotaxi fleet, Waymo will add 2,000 Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicles from a new facility in Arizona.
Waymo, the self-driving technology subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., is set to significantly increase its operational capacity with the addition of over 2,000 Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicles to its existing fleet of 1,500, according to recent announcements. This expansion will support Waymo's scaling into new markets and vehicles.
The new vehicles will be outfitted at Waymo's 239,000-square-foot "Waymo Driver Integration Plant" in Mesa, Arizona, operated in partnership with Magna International. This facility, which began operations last fall, will be capable of producing tens of thousands of autonomous vehicles annually once fully scaled.
In addition to the Jaguar I-Pace vehicles, Waymo is integrating its upcoming sixth-generation self-driving technology (the Waymo Driver) into new electric vehicles. Starting with the Zeekr RT robotaxi platform, this strategic move reflects Waymo's push into new vehicle platforms beyond the Jaguar fleet.
Waymo's vehicles utilize a sensor suite that includes lidar, radar, and cameras, unlike Tesla's vision-based approach. As of now, the company is averaging more than 250,000 paid rides per week across its operational cities.
The expansion will more than double the number of Jaguar I-Pace vehicles in Waymo's current fleet. This growth supports Waymo's scaling into new markets such as Dallas, with plans to launch the service there in 2026, in partnership with Avis Budget Group, which will manage fleet operations including maintenance and infrastructure.
Moreover, Waymo is partnering with Hyundai to bring next-generation autonomous tech into the Ioniq 5 SUV, further diversifying the autonomous vehicle fleet. The company also plans to launch additional services in Miami and Washington, D.C., by 2026.
Waymo's broader vision is to grow its autonomous vehicle network across multiple cities and to incorporate next-generation self-driving systems into diverse electric vehicles, moving toward a large-scale, safe, and seamless ride-hailing service.
[1] Waymo Blog Post: [https://waymo.com/blog/waymo-driver-integration-plant-mesa-arizona/] [2] Waymo Press Release: [https://waymo.com/press/2021/09/waymo-partners-with-magna-to-build-waymo-driver-integration-plant-in-arizona/] [3] Waymo Press Release: [https://waymo.com/press/2021/11/waymo-partners-with-avis-to-launch-fully-autonomous-ride-hailing-in-dallas-texas/] [4] Waymo Press Release: [https://waymo.com/press/2022/01/waymo-partners-with-hyundai-to-bring-next-generation-autonomous-tech-to-the-ioniq-5-suv/]
- Waymo is planning to scale its autonomous vehicle operations by increasing its fleet with over 2,000 Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicles and new electric vehicles equipped with Waymo's sixth-generation self-driving technology.
- Additionally, Waymo is partnering with Hyundai to bring next-generation autonomous technology into the Ioniq 5 SUV, further diversifying its autonomous vehicle fleet.
- The company's strategic moves reflect its push to expand into new markets such as Dallas, Miami, and Washington, D.C., by 2026, with partner Avis Budget Group managing fleet operations.
- Waymo's broader industry aspiration is to grow its autonomous vehicle network across multiple cities and to incorporate technology into diverse electric vehicles, aiming for a large-scale, safe, and seamless ride-hailing service in the sphere of finance and transportation, contributing to a sustainable lifestyle through the promotion of electric vehicles.
