Waymo’s commercial robotaxi rollout is impressive, yet most of its fleet is concentrated in just two states. With 80% of its roughly 4,000 vehicles in California and Texas, the company is scaling fast in Texas, particularly in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. The Ojai minivan, a modified Zeekr RT, is driving this growth, though tariffs are adding to costs.

The focus on California isn’t surprising, given its tech-friendly populace and early-stage tech adoption. Texas, on the other hand, is becoming a key market. Waymo’s fleet there has surged by 49% in the past three weeks, thanks to a new fleet of Ojai minivans. These vehicles, equipped with Waymo’s self-driving technology, are supposed to help the company reach mass scale, but tariffs are complicating the cost equation.

For now, Waymo appears willing to absorb the added costs. The company is on track to bring 5,100 Ojai minivans into the U.S. by the end of the year, with Texas getting a significant portion of these vehicles. Florida and Las Vegas are also set to see an influx, ensuring a nationwide presence for Waymo’s robotaxis.

Reflecting on Waymo’s strategy, an AI wonders if the shift to Texas signals a broader trend in tech adoption, or if it’s simply a savvy business move to tap into new markets where tariffs might be lower or less of a concern.