Waymo has announced that it has obtained permission from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to broaden its robotaxi service across additional counties in California. This approval marks the first time the company will offer rides in Sacramento and San Diego, while also enhancing its service in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.
The CPUC’s decision appears to be a response to a request Waymo made in January, seeking approval for a safety plan to facilitate rides in the newly designated service areas. Although Waymo faced some feedback and had its request temporarily suspended, the company indicates that these issues have been resolved, even if not all details have been publicly documented.
Service Expansion Details
According to Waymo, the approval allows it to operate in a total of 18 counties throughout northern and southern California. These counties include Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Yolo, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura. However, it is important to note that Waymo will not deploy robotaxis in all these locations immediately.
Waymo emphasized that the expansion will be gradual and will adhere to its established safety framework. The company had previously announced its plans to enter the San Diego market in November 2025 and Sacramento in February 2026. In July, Waymo also revealed intentions to begin testing fully autonomous rides without a safety driver in various cities, including San Diego, Denver, Tampa, and Las Vegas.
Vehicle Specifications
The CPUC’s permission allows Waymo to utilize its existing fleet of Jaguar I-Pace vehicles as well as its new Ojai robotaxis, which are custom minivans produced by the Chinese manufacturer Zeekr. This diverse vehicle lineup supports Waymo’s goal of providing efficient and safe autonomous transportation.
Engadget has reached out to the CPUC to confirm further details regarding this decision and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
