Waymo secures CPUC approval for major California robotaxi expansion
The California Public Utilities Commission has cleared Waymo’s safety plan, allowing the company to deploy its fleet in new markets while continuing gradual growth in existing hubs like the Bay Area and Los Angeles.
Waymo has received formal approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to significantly expand its autonomous ride-hailing operations across the state. The regulatory decision permits the company to launch services in Sacramento and San Diego for the first time, while extending its existing footprint in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.
The approval covers 18 counties in northern and southern California, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo in the north, as well as Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura in the south. This marks a substantial geographic leap for the autonomous vehicle operator, which had previously announced its intentions to enter the San Diego market in November 2025 and Sacramento in February 2026.
The CPUC’s decision follows a safety plan letter filed by Waymo in January 2026, which was a response to the company’s initial expansion announcement. The regulator had previously provided feedback on the request and at one stage suspended it, though Waymo’s recent announcement indicates that these regulatory hurdles have been resolved. Engadget has contacted the CPUC to confirm the precise details of the decision and is awaiting a response.
Waymo has emphasised that the rollout will not be instantaneous across all 18 counties. The company stated that the expansion will be gradual and guided by its internal safety framework, suggesting that service availability will vary by location as the operator ensures compliance with safety standards. The specific timeline for service commencement in each county has not been detailed in the approval documentation.
Operations in the new and expanded markets will utilise Waymo’s existing Jaguar I-Pace vehicles alongside its new Ojai robotaxis. The Ojai is a custom-built minivan manufactured by Chinese vehicle maker Zeekr. This approval aligns with broader strategic moves by Waymo, which in July 2026 reported plans to test fully autonomous rides without safety drivers in San Diego, as well as in Denver, Tampa, and Las Vegas.
