Waymo Ojai Robotaxis Expand With 3,200 Zeekr Vans Imported

Waymo Accelerates Ojai Robotaxi Expansion

Waymo has imported more than 3,200 Zeekr RT minivans since 2024, forming the vehicle base for its Ojai driverless vehicles, according to a report compiled by Forbes. More than 2,600 of those vehicles were imported during 2026 alone, based on Bill of Lading data from the Port of Los Angeles. The scale of these imports indicates that Waymo is continuing to expand its autonomous vehicle fleet despite the tariffs imposed on Chinese-built electric vehicles. An individual report earlier this month also indicated that more than 500 Ojai robotaxis were seen together at a parking lot in Mesa, Arizona.

Zeekr Vehicles Receive Waymo Autonomous Technology

Zeekr RT minivans, known as the CM1e in China, are imported from China before undergoing additional development at Waymo's facility in Mesa. The company installs its autonomous driving hardware and software on the imported vehicles, converting the minivans into driverless robotaxis. Waymo Ojai vehicles currently operate in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, while the company plans to extend operations to additional cities. The continued imports and vehicle preparation activity suggest that fleet expansion remains an important part of Waymo's broader autonomous mobility strategy.

Tariffs Could Significantly Increase Vehicle Costs

The Zeekr RT has a price equivalent to approximately USD 39,000 in China, but the economics change substantially after entering the United States. With tariffs on Chinese-built EVs reaching 127.5%, the vehicle cost could rise to approximately USD 89,000 in the U.S. before accounting for Waymo's autonomous driving hardware and installation expenses. Despite these additional costs, the volume of imported vehicles indicates that Waymo continues to pursue deployment of the Ojai platform. The combination of vehicle acquisition, autonomous technology integration, and fleet preparation represents a significant investment as the company expands its driverless transportation operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Zeekr RT minivans has Waymo imported for Ojai robotaxis?
Waymo has imported more than 3,200 Zeekr RT minivans since 2024, with more than 2,600 reportedly imported during 2026 alone. The vehicles form the basis of its Ojai driverless fleet and are equipped with Waymo's autonomous driving hardware and software after importation. The Zeekr RT is known as the CM1e in China and is converted for autonomous operation at Waymo's Mesa facility. The vehicles currently operate in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, with additional cities expected to follow as the company's deployment expands.