Key facts
- Waymo operates robotaxi services in 15 U.S. cities, with most launches occurring in the past year.
- The company averages 500,000 paid robotaxi rides weekly.
- Approximately 80% of Waymo's 4,000 robotaxis are located in California and Texas.
- Waymo's fleet in Texas increased by 49% in the three weeks leading up to September 24, 2024.
- Waymo's Texas fleet now comprises 1,102 autonomous vehicles.
- The new 'Ojai' minivan, a modified Zeekr RT, makes up about a third of Waymo's Texas fleet.
Waymo, the autonomous driving unit spun out of Google and majority-owned by Alphabet, is rapidly expanding its commercial robotaxi operations across the U.S., now serving 15 cities and averaging 500,000 paid rides weekly. However, a detailed analysis of its fleet data reveals a significant concentration of its approximately 4,000 vehicles in California and Texas.
Texas has emerged as a key growth area, with Waymo's fleet there increasing by nearly half in the three weeks leading up to September 24, 2024. This surge is largely attributed to the introduction of its new 'Ojai' minivan, a modified Zeekr RT built on Geely Holding Group's SEA-M platform. These vehicles are shipped from China and then outfitted with Waymo's self-driving systems at its Arizona factory.
While Waymo's headquarters are in Silicon Valley, driving its strong presence in California, the recent expansion in Texas is notable. The company launched commercial service in Austin in March 2025 through a partnership with Uber and has since expanded to Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. The Ojai minivans now constitute about a third of Waymo's Texas fleet, with expectations that this share will continue to grow.
The Ojai is designed to help Waymo achieve mass scale and drive down costs, incorporating Waymo's sixth-generation self-driving system and Google's Gemini AI as an in-car assistant. Despite the potential cost savings from using a shared platform, U.S. import tariffs on vehicles built in China are increasing Waymo's expenses for each Ojai brought into the country. Research firm MoffettNathanson estimates Waymo is on track to import 5,100 Ojai vehicles by the end of the year, with Texas, Florida, and Las Vegas expected to receive a significant portion.