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Waymo expands robotaxi fleet to 15 cities and 500,000 weekly rides
Waymo is rapidly expanding its autonomous robotaxi operations, growing its service from three U.S. cities in September 2024 to 15 cities today. The company reports that paid rides have reached approximately 500,000 per week. While the fleet has reached roughly 4,000 vehicles, about 80% are concentrated in California and Texas, with Texas seeing the fastest growth.
To support this expansion and lower operating costs, Waymo is utilizing the Ojai, a modified Zeekr RT minivan produced by China's Geely Holding Group. These vehicles are shipped to the U.S. without Chinese connected-car technology and are outfitted with Waymo's sixth-generation driving system in Arizona. However, U.S. tariffs on Chinese-manufactured vehicles are impacting the cost-saving potential of this deployment.
A recent safety report covering 270 million miles of autonomous driving through June 2026 indicates that Waymo's systems resulted in 841 fewer injury-causing accidents than expected from human drivers. The report highlights a 95% reduction in severe or fatal accidents and significant decreases in injuries involving pedestrians (93%), cyclists (86%), and motorcyclists (82%).
In San Francisco, Waymo has introduced a program for Visa cardholders, offering a $2.85 credit for trips that combine public transit and Waymo services within a two-hour window.
Entities
Alphabet Inc. · California · Geely Holding Group · Texas · Waymo · Zeekr
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Waymo expanded its commercial robotaxi service from three U.S. cities in September 2024 to 15 cities. digitalmarketreports.com · www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A Waymo vehicle failed to follow police directions during a presidential motorcade route in Dallas. futurism.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Severe or fatal accidents occurred 95% less frequently during autonomous operations compared to human driving. www.ad-hoc-news.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Injury accidents involving pedestrians fell by 93%, cyclists by 86%, and motorcyclists by 82%. www.ad-hoc-news.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Waymo's paid rides have reached approximately 500,000 per week. digitalmarketreports.com · www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Approximately 80% of Waymo's 4,000 robotaxis are located in California and Texas. digitalmarketreports.com · www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Waymo's fleet recorded 841 fewer injury-causing accidents than expected from human drivers over 270 million miles. www.ad-hoc-news.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Ojai minivan, based on the Zeekr RT, accounts for about one-third of Waymo's Texas fleet. digitalmarketreports.com · www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Waymo is offering a $2.85 credit to San Francisco Visa cardholders who pair public transit with a Waymo trip within two hours. www.thecooldown.com