Waymo launches in Sacramento with all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles, starting manual drives as it prepares for fully autonomous rides in the city.<\/p>\n
SACRAMENTO, Calif. \u2014 Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company, is expanding its ride-hail service to California\u2019s capital.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The company announced plans to begin operating in Sacramento\u00a0<\/a>this week, starting with manually driven vehicles as it prepares for fully autonomous rides in the future.<\/p>\n A fleet of all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles will be on the streets of Sacramento, allowing Waymo\u2019s team to learn the city\u2019s unique traffic patterns, from tree-lined residential streets to the busy downtown corridor.\u00a0<\/p>\n This phased approach mirrors the company\u2019s rollout in six other cities and is coordinated closely with city and state leaders to meet the needs of residents and visitors.<\/p>\n Mayor Kevin McCarty praised the move, highlighting its potential to improve safety.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAs Sacramento grows, so does our need for safe, reliable transportation,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re excited to work with Waymo to expand mobility options that are designed with safety at their core. By offering new ways to move around the Capital City, we\u2019re providing our residents with more choice while staying focused on our goal of making every street safer for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Waymo says its expansion supports Sacramento\u2019s Vision Zero<\/a> initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.\u00a0<\/p>\n Data from other cities where Waymo operates suggests that autonomous vehicles can enhance road safety.<\/p>\n Residents and visitors interested in trying the service can find more<\/a> information here.<\/p>\n