Waymo's new purpose-built robotaxi, the Ojai, will keep offering free rides for several more months after the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) delayed approval for paid service. Clearance may not come until Sept. 25 at the earliest, according to reporting .
May 2026 · Waymo
Ojai: Waymo's first purpose-built robotaxi — and free rides may run into September
Built from the ground up to slash costs, Ojai debuts with free rides in California. A CPUC review delay pushes paid service back to at least September 25, keeping the free period open for riders.
$125K
Ojai total cost — vs ~$200K for the retrofit Jaguar
42%
Less LiDAR vs the previous generation of Waymo Driver
6th
Generation Waymo Driver — Ojai is the first to carry it
Cost per vehicle
Purpose-built beats retrofit — a driver of fleet expansion and profitability
$200K
Jaguar I-PACE
Ojai vs converted Jaguar I-PACE
Ojai
Purpose-built electric minivan
13 cameras · 6 radar · 4 LiDAR
6th-generation Waymo Driver
93 kWh battery · 800V architecture
Accessibility: flat floor, low step-in, grab bars, screen reader, Braille buttons
Converted Jaguar I-PACE
Retrofit of an existing car
Previous-generation sensor setup
Prior-generation Waymo Driver
Continues to operate as paid service
Why California rides stay free
A regulatory review, extended — no fares until at least Sep 25
JAN 2026
Waymo files with CPUC to expand and add Ojai
→
REVIEW
More info requested on emergency response & minor-rider rules
→
SEP 25
Extension agreed — paid service can't begin before this date
Where next
Scaling Ojai production in Arizona, with eyes on San Diego, Las Vegas and Denver.
California's dual DMV + CPUC approval raises the entry barrier — but the market is large, so this process will shape the pace of Waymo's nationwide rollout.
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