California-based driverless taxi prepares for fully electric fleet

The autonomous driving technology company Waymo is preparing to transition to a fleet of fully electric, self-driving vehicles by the end of April, the first of its kind.

Waymo in announcing the news last week, Waymo said that by the end of April, “we will deploy the Jaguar I-PACE and our fifth-generation Waymo Driver in the Phoenix East Valley, making our entire Waymo One ride-hailing fleet fully electric.”

The Alphabet Inc.-owned company also said it will "retire" it existing fleet of cars that roam the East Valley, hybrid Chrysler minivans.

Waymo’s autonomous cars are currently operational only in Phoenix and San Francisco. 

“For many, hailing a fully autonomous ride with Waymo may be the easiest way to access an EV," the company said in its March 30 blog announcing the historic move.  

As for the future for Waymo, the company said its technology is designed to “help repurpose parking… and reduce localized emissions, ultimately helping cities and streets be designed more for people and less for cars.”

The company said it was "proud" to further the Biden administration's effort to transition Americans away from gas-powered cars and towards EV’s.

Its announcement came at the same time the White House announced its "EV Acceleration Challenge," a government blueprint to fuel public and private sector investments in electric vehicles.   

President Biden plans to make 50% of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2030.

Follow Addison Smith on Twitter.