Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company owned by Alphabet, has announced plans to add 2,000 more Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicles to its self-driving fleet by 2026. This expansion comes on the heels of the company already having 1,500 I-Pace EVs in operation. Waymo currently offers driverless rides in cities such as San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Austin.
The Jaguar I-Pace, which first hit the streets in 2018, was one of the first non-Tesla electric vehicles to make a mark in the market. Despite Jaguar discontinuing the model last year, Waymo is doubling down on its usage in its autonomous taxi service. The company has been tight-lipped about the size of its fleet, but the addition of 2,000 more I-Pace vehicles signifies a significant expansion.
Waymo will be manufacturing these additional vehicles at a new facility in Mesa, Arizona, in partnership with Magna, a renowned contract car manufacturer. This facility, which opened last year, will focus on producing autonomous vehicles based on various platforms, starting with the Zeekr RT van from China. Waymo also has plans to integrate Hyundai Ioniq 5 crossovers into its fleet in the future.
The Mesa plant is set to become the hub for Waymo’s growth plans, with the company aiming to produce “tens of thousands” of vehicles annually in the coming years. This move solidifies Waymo’s position as a leader in the commercialized self-driving technology space in the United States.
The company already logs 250,000 paid rides per week and has announced plans to expand its services to Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Miami by 2026. With its driverless vehicles operating in multiple cities and plans for further expansion, Waymo is setting itself apart from competitors like General Motors’ Cruise and Tesla in the autonomous vehicle market.
Overall, Waymo’s investment in self-driving technology seems to be paying off, with a growing customer base and plans for continued expansion. The addition of more Jaguar I-Pace EVs to its fleet showcases the company’s commitment to innovation and leadership in the autonomous vehicle industry.