Waymo opens robotaxi rides to the public in 3 new cities, now 14 total

This is a car-service story, not a home energy upgrade, but it does touch on electric vehicles and home charging. Waymo, the self-driving taxi company owned by Alphabet, opened its robotaxi rides to the general public in Denver, San Diego, and Tampa, bringing its service to 14 US cities total. Tens of thousands of people in each city had already signed up before the launch, and Waymo says it will add riders gradually over the coming weeks. Riders in Denver and San Diego will get a new, roomier minivan-style vehicle as the fleet builds out.

Waymo has now launched in seven new cities since March 2025 and is aiming for 1 million paid rides a week by the end of the year. In Tampa, its service now runs alongside Tesla's smaller robotaxi operation, though Tesla's fleet there is much more limited.

For a homeowner, the direct relevance is limited, but the article notes that every Waymo ride is electric, and charging an EV at home is generally the cheapest way to power one. With electricity rates having risen close to 10% over the past year, some homeowners look at rooftop solar as a way to offset those rising costs, including for EV charging, though options and savings vary depending on where you live.