Waymo's robotaxi fleet grows rapidly, concentrated in Texas and California
Waymo's commercial robotaxi service has expanded to 15 U.S. cities, with weekly paid rides averaging 500,000. The company's fleet of about 4,000 vehicles is heavily concentrated in California and Texas, with Texas seeing a 49% increase in the past three weeks. The growth is driven by new minivans, though tariffs are raising costs.
Waymo's fleet distribution shows a clear geographic skew. Roughly 80% of its ~4,000 robotaxis operate in California and Texas. Texas registrations hit 1,102 by late September, a 49% surge in three weeks. The company's Texas presence began with an Uber partnership in Austin in March 2025, later spreading to Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.
The growth is tied to the Ojai minivan, built on Zeekr's SEA-M platform. These vehicles arrive without Chinese connected-car tech and are retrofitted at Waymo's Arizona plant. Despite import tariffs raising costs, shipping data suggests Waymo will import 5,100 Ojais by year-end. Florida also shows promise, with service in three cities.
This rapid fleet expansion could reshape urban mobility, offering a scalable alternative to human-driven ride-hailing. It may pressure traditional taxi and delivery services, potentially affecting driver livelihoods. However, the concentration in Texas and California suggests uneven access, leaving other regions behind. Safety and regulatory acceptance will be key, as public trust in autonomous systems remains fragile. The reliance on Chinese-built vehicles, despite tariffs, may also influence trade and industrial policy debates.