Waymo Imports 3,200 Zeekr Robotaxis Despite Super High Tariffs

Waymo, the self-driving car company, has brought more than 2,600 electric robotaxis into the US this year, with about 500 more recently spotted at a facility in Arizona, for a total of roughly 3,200. These vehicles, called Ojai, are built in China by Zeekr, a brand owned by Geely, even though Chinese-made electric vehicles face a 102.5% import tariff. Waymo can still use them because the vehicles were custom-designed for its robotaxi service over several years, so there's no easy substitute.

The tariff makes these vehicles expensive. The base vehicle reportedly costs around $38,000 to $38,500, but with the tariff added, the cost rises to about $78,000. On top of that, Waymo's own self-driving hardware adds an estimated $25,000 more, though that figure doesn't include installation. The vehicles run on an 800-volt electrical system with a 93 kWh battery, and have a sliding center door with no center pillar, making them easy to get in and out of. They've already started giving rides in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.

This is a story about robotaxi fleets and trade policy, not something that affects home energy upgrades or rebates. It's a reminder that tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and batteries are still very high, which is worth keeping in mind if you're shopping for an EV yourself, since pricing and availability for Chinese-made models remain limited in the US market.