JLR strikes deal with Google to supply 20,000 driverless cars

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will supply tens of thousands of electric vehicles to Google in a new deal with its self-driving car project, Waymo.

JLR and Waymo will design and engineer up to 20,000 self-driving Jaguar I-PACE vehicles, which were launched last month and cost upwards of £60,000, with the view to start testing Waymo’s first premium fleet later this year.

Waymo is currently the only company with a fleet of fully self-driving on public roads, and is set to launch the world’s first self-driving ride-hailing transportation service for the public later this year. JLR will deliver the I-PACE models from 2020 to 2222.

Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover chief executive said the company needs to partner with experts to help it advance smart mobility.

“In joining forces with Waymo we are pioneering to push the boundaries of technology. Together we will deliver the self-driving Waymo Jaguar I-PACE with the grace, space and eco-pace that customers expect.”

John Krafcik, Waymo chief executive officer, said: “While we’ve been focused at Waymo on building the world’s most experienced driver, the team at Jaguar Land Rover has developed an all-new battery-electric platform that looks to set a new standard in safety, design and capability. We’re sure Waymo riders will enjoy the safe, premium and delightful experience that the self-driving I-PACE will provide.”