Waymo's cheaper robotaxi hits the road

Waymo has quietly opened its next-generation robotaxi to all riders in three of its busiest markets — Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco — marking a significant step in the Alphabet-owned company's bid to scale its autonomous fleet with a vehicle built to be cheaper and easier to maintain.

Ojai joins the fleet

Customers hailing a ride in those cities may now be matched with the Ojai (pronounced oh-hi), a minivan-like robotaxi developed in partnership with Zeekr, a brand under China's Geely Holding Group. According to a company spokesperson, Waymo currently has about 300 Ojai robotaxis in its commercial fleet. Once availability grows, riders will be able to choose between the Ojai and the older Jaguar I-Pace robotaxi.

The company said Wednesday it plans to bring the Ojai to Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego later this year. Waymo has relied on the modified Jaguar I-Pace for years, and that vehicle now operates across 11 U.S. cities. While the white sensor-laden hatchback has become familiar in places like San Francisco, it has served more as a stopgap than a long-term solution.

Built for scale and margin

The Ojai is equipped with Waymo's sixth-generation self-driving system, which is modular and designed to work across multiple vehicle types — a key element of the company's strategy. Inside, the robotaxi introduces a redesigned user interface and Google's Gemini AI as an in-car assistant.

Strip away the tech, and the Ojai is fundamentally a minivan built on Zeekr's SEA-M platform, an updated version of the automaker's “Sustainable Experience Architecture” tailored for robotaxis and delivery vans. The goal was to create a vehicle that is easy for riders to access, durable enough for near-constant use, and — most importantly — cheap to build and maintain.

Tariffs add cost

The Ojai delivers on many of those objectives, though tariffs on imported vehicles have introduced new expenses. Under current U.S. trade policy, vehicles manufactured in China face steep import tariffs, raising Waymo's cost for every Ojai it brings in. The base Zeekr vehicles are shipped without any Chinese connected-car technology on board; after arriving in the United States, they are sent to Waymo's Arizona factory, where the self-driving system is installed.

Import pace picks up

New York-based research firm MoffettNathanson, which tracks Ojai imports by examining detailed receipts of shipped goods, said Waymo is on pace to bring 5,000 Ojai vehicles to the United States by the end of 2026 — more than double Waymo's current Jaguar fleet. In July alone, 725 Ojai vehicles entered the country, underscoring the scale and pace of Waymo's expansion.

• Waymo has about 300 Ojai robotaxis in its commercial fleet today.
• The company plans to roll out the Ojai in Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego later this year.
• Waymo operates in 11 U.S. cities.
• MoffettNathanson estimates 5,000 Ojai vehicles will arrive in the U.S. by end of 2026.
• In July 2026, 725 Ojai vehicles entered the country.

Rider experience and AI

The Ojai's redesign extends beyond the hardware. The cabin features a new user interface, and Gemini AI acts as an assistant for riders during trips. This marks a shift from the Jaguar I-Pace, which lacks such integrated AI features.

Why it matters

The move to open the Ojai to all riders in these cities suggests Waymo is betting that a purpose-built, lower-cost vehicle can help it scale profitably. The tariff headwinds mean those savings aren't fully realized yet, but the sheer volume of imports suggests the company is confident in its path. As the Ojai expands to more cities, the economics of robotaxis — how cheaply they can run, and whether they can turn a profit — will become increasingly visible to the public. For competitors in the autonomous vehicle space, Waymo's push toward mass deployment could raise the bar on cost efficiency.