Jaguar Land Rover sign supply deal for autonomous vehicles with Waymo

The deal is set to make JLR the visible face of Waymo, with its vehicles carrying the ride hailing company’s self-driving technology. Formerly Google’s self-driving car venture, Waymo plans to launch the world’s first fully autonomous transportation service, with a smart phone app allowing customers to request a vehicle which, it stresses, will have “no one in the front seat”.

The i-Pace is itself an innovation for the Indian-owned, UK-based carmaker, being its first fully electric SUV. Launched at the Geneva motor show in January, the i-Pace is claimed to be an SUV with sports car performance, powered by a 90kWh lithium ion battery driving twin electric motors, generating 700Nm of torque and 400bhp.

“With the Jaguar I-PACE we have a world-beating car that’s captured the imagination of customers around the world,” said Ralf Speth, JLR chief executive. “Our passion for further advancing smart mobility needs expert long-term partners. 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.”