TL;DR
Waymo will add a new autonomous electric van called the Ojai, built by China's Zeekr, to its U.S. robotaxi fleet later this year. The vehicle is fitted with a dense array of cameras, radar and lidar and will be assembled in China before Waymo installs its software and sensor package in the U.S.
What happened
Alphabet-owned Waymo announced plans to expand its robotaxi fleet with a new van, the Waymo Ojai, produced by Chinese automaker Zeekr and revealed during CES 2026. Zeekr builds the van bodies in China and ships them to the U.S., where Waymo integrates its autonomous driving hardware and software. The Ojai carries 13 exterior cameras, six radar units and four lidar sensors, each with heaters and small wipers or fluid systems to handle dirt and ice. Public certification records tied to related Zeekr models list a single rear-mounted electric motor rated at about 268 horsepower and roughly 252 lb-ft of torque, plus a 93-kWh battery; no official driving range has been published. Waymo also plans to add modified Hyundai Ioniq 5s alongside the new vans while continuing to operate its existing Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis for at least several more years.
Why it matters
- Adding a van platform expands Waymo's vehicle mix, which could change capacity and interior configurations for robotaxi rides.
- Robust exterior sensor protection (heaters, wipers) signals preparation for operations beyond warm-weather markets.
- A new, faster-charging 800-volt architecture could improve vehicle uptime compared with older models in the fleet.
- Sourcing bodies from a Chinese manufacturer but completing final integration in the U.S. highlights a cross-border production approach and potential regulatory considerations.
Key facts
- The new vehicle is branded the Waymo Ojai and is built by Zeekr for Waymo.
- Waymo confirmed the deployment at CES 2026 and said the vans will arrive later this year.
- Sensor suite includes 13 cameras, six radar sensors and four lidar sensors, with heaters and small wipers/fluids to clear ice and dirt.
- Zeekr constructs the van bodies in China; Waymo installs its software and sensor package after shipment to the U.S.
- Related NHTSA filings for Zeekr models indicate a single rear-mounted electric motor rated around 268 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque.
- EPA documents tied to a Zeekr model show a 93-kWh lithium-ion battery; an official Ojai range figure has not been released.
- The Ojai reportedly uses an 800-volt electrical architecture, which supports faster charging versus Waymo's Jaguar I-Pace units.
- Waymo will also add modified Hyundai Ioniq 5 vehicles to its fleet; Jaguar I-Paces will remain in service for several years.
- Waymo already operates robotaxis in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin and Atlanta.
What to watch next
- Which U.S. cities will receive the Ojai first — not confirmed in the source.
- Exact driving range and real-world charging performance for the Ojai's 93-kWh battery — not confirmed in the source.
- How quickly Waymo integrates and scales Ojai deployments alongside Ioniq 5s and existing Jaguar I-Paces.
Quick glossary
- Lidar: A light-based sensing technology that uses laser pulses to measure distance and build detailed 3D maps of surroundings.
- Radar: A radio-wave sensing method used to detect object positions and speeds, often complementary to lidar and cameras.
- Robotaxi: An autonomous vehicle deployed to provide on-demand passenger rides without a human driver.
- kWh (kilowatt-hour): A unit of battery energy capacity indicating how much energy a battery can store and supply.
- 800-volt architecture: An electrical system design that operates at higher voltage than common 400V setups, enabling faster charging and reduced current for the same power.
Reader FAQ
When will the Waymo Ojai begin passenger service?
Waymo said the vans will be added later this year.
Which cities will see the Ojai first?
Not confirmed in the source.
Is the Ojai manufactured in China?
Yes. Zeekr builds the van bodies in China and Waymo fits its systems after shipping to the U.S.
What is the Ojai's driving range?
Not confirmed in the source.
HomeNews The Waymo Ojai Will Soon Offer Autonomous Rides Around the U.S. Waymo is gearing up to start adding its new self-driving van, built by Chinese automaker Zeekr, to its…
Sources
- The Waymo Ojai Will Soon Offer Autonomous Rides Around the U.S.
- Waymo names its next robotaxi Ojai, built by China's Zeekr
- Waymo's New Zeekr Cab Has A Real Name, And You May …
- Waymo is rebranding its Zeekr robotaxi
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