Waymo and Avis Partner for Robotaxi Fleet in Dallas

Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to Dallas

Waymo has announced plans to initiate a robotaxi service in Dallas next year. This expansion marks the latest addition to the Alphabet-owned company’s increasing commercial presence, which currently encompasses Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Fleet Management Partnership with Avis

For this deployment, Waymo is collaborating with Avis Budget Group to oversee its fleet of fully electric, autonomous Jaguar I-Pace vehicles. Avis will be responsible for essential depot functions, including vehicle charging and maintenance procedures.

Customers will be able to request a robotaxi directly through the Waymo application.

Expanding Partnerships and Scalability

Waymo has previously established partnerships with companies like Uber in Austin and Atlanta, as well as Moove in Phoenix. However, Avis represents the first rental car company to assist Waymo in managing its vehicle fleet.

This collaboration is anticipated to extend to additional cities in the future.

Cost-Effective Growth

According to Waymo spokesperson Chris Bonelli, Avis will be instrumental in enabling the company to scale its technology to new markets both more rapidly and with greater cost efficiency.

He further stated that Waymo and Avis Budget Group have intentions to broaden their collaborative efforts to include more cities over time.

Dallas Testing and Validation

The Dallas launch follows earlier testing conducted by Waymo in the city. During a “road trip” earlier this year, the company utilized its sensor-equipped vehicles to map Dallas and perform preliminary tests.

Since then, Waymo has begun testing its autonomous vehicles on public roads with a human safety operator present. As with other launch locations, the company will transition to fully autonomous testing once its technology has undergone further validation on Dallas streets.

Fleet Size and Future Expansion

Chris Bonelli did not reveal specific launch dates or the initial size of the robotaxi fleet. He did confirm that Waymo intends to scale the fleet to hundreds of vehicles over time, in conjunction with Avis.

Avis' Strategic Shift

Avis Budget Group CEO Brian Choi described the partnership as a “pivotal milestone” in the company’s evolution.

He highlighted the transition from a traditional rental car company to a leading provider of fleet management, infrastructure, and operational support within the broader mobility sector.

Current and Future Operating Cities

Currently, Waymo operates commercially in five cities: Austin, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and the San Francisco Bay Area, including Silicon Valley.

The company also plans to launch its commercial robotaxi service next year in Washington, D.C., and Miami.