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You can now ride a Chinese EV in the US as Waymo opens Zeekr Ojai to all
Waymo has broadened access to its Zeekr Ojai robotaxi, which is now available for public rides in major U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Initial access was limited, but this shift marks a significant progression toward commercial operation. The Ojai offers a new model for cost-effective autonomous rides despite high tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, with Waymo successfully navigating regulatory hurdles by modifying the cars for the U.S. market.
ExperimentConfidence: HighShort term horizon
Published 20 Aug 2026, 15:25 UTC5 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Waymo's Ojai robotaxi is now available for public rides in major U.S. cities.
- The Ojai is built by Zeekr, a Chinese brand under Geely Holding Group.
- Waymo has imported over 3,200 Zeekr vehicles to the U.S. since 2024.
- Waymo manages regulatory challenges by modifying vehicles to remove Chinese technology.
- The autonomous fleet aims for nearly one million rides per week.
Interesting facts
- Waymo pays a 127.5% tariff on imported Chinese EVs but still finds economic viability.
- Zeekr's Ojai is built specifically as a robotaxi, optimizing features for riders.
- Waymo is targeting expansion into additional U.S. cities with its robotaxi services.