Waymo Orders 62,000 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids for Robotic Fleet
Waymo expands its self-driving fleet by ordering up to 62,000 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vans. This massive addition gives the company a fleet that represents over a quarter of all US ride-hailing vehicles.
Waymo significantly expands its self-driving operations by ordering up to 62,000 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vans. This massive purchase adds to the company's existing fleet of 600 modified vans and its planned order of 20,000 Jaguar I-PACE electric SUVs. Together, these vehicles have the capacity to provide one million autonomous rides every day.
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid serves as a strong foundation for this expansion because it offers 33 miles of electric range and an EPA-estimated 84 MPGe. Despite qualifying for the full $7,500 federal tax credit, Chrysler avoids using electric-specific terminology in the vehicle's name. Waymo CEO John Krafcik emphasizes that this expanded partnership with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles supports the company's mission to build the world's most experienced driver and improve road safety.
This enormous vehicle order gives Waymo a commanding presence in the emerging autonomous ride-hailing market. With 82,600 total self-driving cars on order, Waymo's fleet surpasses a quarter of the 305,000 taxi and ride-hailing vehicles currently operating in the United States. While the company keeps specific deployment locations and customer pricing under wraps, it actively operates in the Phoenix metropolitan area and refuses to wait for competitors to gain an advantage.