Waymo Plans to Expand Robotaxi Fleet to 3,500 Vehicles by 2026

Waymo, a pioneer in autonomous driving technology and a subsidiary of Alphabet, has announced plans to significantly expand its robotaxi fleet by 2026. Currently operating 1,500 Jaguar I-Pace SUVs retrofitted with autonomous driving sensors across four major U.S. markets—San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin—the company aims to add 2,000 more vehicles, reaching a total fleet size of 3,500.

This expansion coincides with Waymo’s plans to launch services in new cities including Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, DC. The company recently achieved an average of 250,000 paid passenger trips per week, underscoring growing consumer adoption of autonomous ride-hailing services.

Waymo’s primary vehicle platform has been the Jaguar I-Pace, following the retirement of its Chrysler Pacifica minivans in 2023. Although the company initially projected a fleet of 20,000 I-Paces, it has adjusted its strategy to include new vehicle models. Currently, Waymo is testing the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the all-electric Zeekr RT minivan, which are expected to join the fleet in the near future.

The Zeekr RT, developed by Geely’s subsidiary Zeekr and designed in Sweden, represents Waymo’s sixth-generation autonomous driving platform. These vehicles are imported to Waymo’s advanced 239,000 square-foot factory in Mesa, Arizona, where they are outfitted with proprietary hardware and software to enable fully autonomous operation.

Waymo’s factory employs automated assembly lines and efficiency improvements to scale production, aiming to manufacture tens of thousands of robotaxis annually at full capacity. The factory also incorporates final validation and commissioning processes, ensuring each vehicle is ready for passenger service within 30 minutes of leaving the facility.

This strategic expansion and introduction of new vehicle models position Waymo to maintain its leadership in the autonomous mobility sector amid increasing competition, including Tesla’s upcoming robotaxi service launches. Additionally, Waymo’s partnership with Toyota to explore autonomous vehicles for personal ownership highlights the company’s broader vision for the future of transportation.

Implications for the Autonomous Vehicle Industry

Waymo’s fleet expansion reflects growing consumer trust and regulatory progress in autonomous vehicle deployment. The integration of multiple vehicle platforms demonstrates the importance of adaptable technology and scalable manufacturing processes in meeting diverse market demands. As robotaxi services expand geographically, cities will experience shifts in urban mobility patterns, reduced reliance on personal vehicles, and potential environmental benefits through electric autonomous fleets.

For developers and businesses, this growth signals opportunities to innovate in vehicle software, sensor technology, and fleet management systems. Governments and urban planners can leverage data from autonomous fleets to optimize infrastructure and improve public transit integration. Waymo’s advancements underscore the transformative potential of autonomous mobility to reshape transportation ecosystems worldwide.