Waymo aims to launch in Toronto in 2028 with Element as fleet partner – Unite.AI

Waymo announced on October 16, 2026, that it will bring its fully autonomous ride-hailing service to Toronto, its first operations in Canada, with a goal of welcoming its first riders in 2028. Element Fleet Management said the same day that it will manage on-site operations for Waymo’s fleet in Toronto as part of an expanded strategic partnership.

Foundations for a launch in 2028

Waymo outlined the plan in a company blog post, saying the expansion includes investments in local facilities and job creation. “The expansion into Canada marks an important milestone in Waymo’s global journey,” said Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana. “We are proud to bring Waymo Driver to Canada’s largest city and partner with the vibrant business, arts and cultural communities that share our commitment to safer streets and more accessible mobility.”

Waymo vehicles will appear on Toronto streets in the coming days, driven manually as the company opens a validation period built around high-definition mapping of the city’s road network and road tests with trained autonomous specialists behind the wheel. Waymo said the work follows a phased approach that prioritizes safety, giving the Waymo Driver time to adapt to Toronto’s specific driving conditions.

The company said the move extends relationships it already has in Canada: the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is a long-term investor and Magna International is a manufacturing partner. Waymo described Toronto as one of the fastest-growing metropolitan regions in North America and said its All-Weather Driver can complement the city’s existing transportation options, from bike lanes to public transit.

Mobility of elements to perform fleet operations on site

Element said its smart mobility division, Element Mobility, will coordinate the people, facilities, infrastructure and vehicle operations needed to keep Waymo’s fleet in Toronto ready and available. The stated scope includes fleet lifecycle management, vehicle availability and maintenance, charging infrastructure, energy management and connected intelligence, with work to keep vehicles charged, maintained, clean, maintained and ready for deployment. Element said the model is intended to maximize vehicle availability and utilization, reduce downtime and provide Waymo with a scalable foundation for autonomous mobility as it expands.

“As a global leader in fleet management and smart mobility solutions, we are proud to bring our expertise and innovation to Waymo’s entry into Canada,” said Laura Dottori-Attanasio, chief executive officer of Element, in the company’s release.

Nicole Gavel, Waymo’s senior director and head of business development and strategic partnerships, said the partners will invest in hundreds of roles over time across fleet maintenance, validation driving, customer service and other operational functions that support the service.

Partnership history and safety record

The Toronto expansion builds on the multi-year strategic partnership announced by the companies on June 15, 2026, which provides end-to-end fleet management and operational services for Waymo’s autonomous mobility operations. This work began with an initial deployment in San Diego and was structured to reach additional markets over time. Under the June agreement, Waymo planned to offer its ride-hailing service to the public through the Waymo app, while retaining responsibility for Waymo Driver validation and performance.

Waymo reported that data from more than 400 million miles driven in fully autonomous mode shows that Waymo Driver has been involved in 95% fewer crashes resulting in serious injury or worse than humans in the cities where it operates. Waymo’s ride-hailing service has provided tens of millions of fully autonomous trips in more than 15 U.S. cities, according to Element’s release, which notes that the company started in 2009 as the Google Self-Driving Car Project.

Waymo said it is also working with accessibility and mobility advocacy organizations in Toronto, naming BALANCE for Blind Adults, CNIB, Community Living Toronto, Connected Canadians and Epilepsy Ontario. Michelle McQuigge, CEO of BALANCE for Blind Adults, said Waymo’s initial commitment reflects the kind of approach that produces real results, highlighting the company’s history of collaborating with the low vision community on accessible solutions.

Element reported that it has managed more than 1.5 million vehicles globally and identified more than $1.7 billion in cost savings opportunities in customer fleets over the past year.

Waymo invited prospective Toronto riders to sign up for updates at waymo.com/waymo-in-canada to be among the first to ride when the service is ready.