Waymo plans to bring its fully autonomous ride-hailing service to Spain, targeting its first passenger rides in the Madrid region in 2027. Electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles will begin appearing on local roads in the coming days as the company starts preparations.
The rollout will begin with manual driving, followed by technical validation with trained local autonomous specialists behind the wheel. This phased approach will help adapt the Waymo Driver automated driving system to Madrid’s traffic patterns and road conditions before driverless passenger services begin.
The Madrid programme marks the start of Waymo’s planned service in Spain. The company says it has already completed more than 20 million trips and now provides hundreds of thousands of commercial rides each week across its existing operations.
For Madrid, the immediate focus is on testing and building the local operations needed to support a future service. The initial arrival of vehicles will be a preparation phase, with passenger rides targeted for 2027.
Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana described Madrid as an important addition to the company’s growing international presence, highlighting shared goals around road safety, accessibility and zero-emission mobility.
The battery-electric Jaguar I-PACE fleet brings together autonomous driving technology and transport with no tailpipe emissions.
Waymo is engaging with national, regional and local authorities as it prepares for operations in Spain. The company is also familiarising emergency services with its technology and working with local partners to develop operational support.
Those preparations are intended to align the service with Spanish regulatory frameworks and local transport needs.
Safety remains central to Waymo’s case for expansion. According to the company, data covering more than 400 million fully autonomous kilometres shows its vehicles were involved in 95% fewer crashes resulting in serious injury or worse than human drivers in the cities where it operates. That comparison reflects existing operating areas, rather than results from Madrid.
Spanish road safety organisations FESVIAL and AESLEME also highlighted the potential for autonomous driving to reduce crashes and prevent serious injuries, while stressing the importance of a rigorous, people-focused approach.
For prospective Madrid riders, 2027 is the key target. Before then, Waymo’s electric vehicles will undergo local testing and validation as the company prepares to introduce fully autonomous ride-hailing in the region.
