Waymo imports Chinese Zeekr EVs for robotaxi fleet despite high tariffs

Waymo, the autonomous ride-hailing subsidiary of Alphabet, is importing Chinese-made electric vehicles despite high import tariffs. The company has reportedly imported approximately 3,200 Zeekr vehicles through the Port of Los Angeles to support its next generation of robotaxis.

While Chinese EVs face tariffs of roughly 127.5% in the United States—a cost that typically prevents brands like BYD or Xiaomi from entering the mainstream consumer market—Waymo utilizes these vehicles for its commercial ride-hailing network rather than for direct sale to consumers. The vehicles, known as the ‘Ojai’ in the US and the ‘CM1e’ in China, debuted in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix in May alongside the sixth generation of Waymo Driver technology. Waymo is utilizing the Zeekr platform as a more economical alternative to its previous Jaguar I-Pace robotaxi platform.