Alphabet’s self-driving unit Waymo said on Monday it plans to begin operating its autonomous ride-hailing service in Dallas by 2026, expanding its U.S. footprint through a new partnership with Avis Budget Group.
The announcement comes as Waymo accelerates its national rollout, adding new cities through collaborations with fleet operators and ride-hailing platforms. Under the Dallas initiative, Avis will oversee vehicle maintenance, depot management, and other fleet operations as part of a multi-year agreement.
“We look forward to bringing our fully autonomous ride-hailing service to the people of Dallas next year, offering a new era of safe and seamless transportation,” said Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo. “Working together with our fleet partner Avis, Waymo will offer more riders a stress-free way to get around.”
Waymo, which currently facilitates more than 250,000 paid trips per week using around 1,500 autonomous vehicles, operates in cities including Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin. Earlier this year, the company launched in Austin exclusively via the Uber platform — ahead of Tesla’s (TSLA.O) own limited robotaxi trial in the city.
Tesla, which began testing a small fleet of Model Y vehicles with human safety monitors in Austin, is seeking regulatory approval to expand its robotaxi program to additional states, including California, Florida, Nevada, and Arizona.
Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert welcomed the planned launch, stating, “The Waymo and Avis partnership will offer an innovative, technology-based transportation option for our residents and visitors. We look forward to the launch of this new service.”
The Dallas expansion is part of Waymo’s broader national strategy, which also includes planned launches in Miami and Washington, D.C., in 2026. Rides in these markets will be accessible via the Waymo app.
Avis Budget Group, traditionally a rental car provider, views the partnership as a strategic step in its transformation.
“Our partnership with Waymo marks a pivotal milestone in our evolution, from a rental car company to a leading provider of fleet management, infrastructure and operations to the broader mobility ecosystem,” said Avis CEO Brian Choi.
Commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles has proven difficult for several companies, with General Motors’ Cruise halting operations following safety incidents and investigations. Amazon-backed Zoox is among the few still preparing to enter the market, with a commercial launch anticipated later this year.
Until Tesla’s Austin pilot, Waymo remained the only company offering paid, fully driverless taxi rides in the United States.
