Uber Secures 50,000 sq ft Houston Depot for 35,000 EV Robotaxis
UBER•Uber secured a 50,000 sq ft depot in Houston to launch driverless rides in mid-2027, expanding its robotaxi service with Lucid Group and Nuro. Under a multiyear lease, Uber will deploy up to 35,000 Lucid EVs as both companies leverage Saudi PIF support to scale autonomous fleets.
1. Partnership and Strategic Goals
Uber has partnered with Lucid Group and Nuro to accelerate its autonomous ride-hailing platform, building on an existing Bay Area pilot. The collaboration leverages Uber’s platform expertise, Lucid’s EV technology and Nuro’s operating system to establish a scalable robotaxi network.
2. Depot Infrastructure Details
The newly secured 50,000 sq ft depot in Houston will feature 40 fast chargers, 15 maintenance bays and dedicated cleaning facilities. Construction is set to begin in early 2027, with driverless ride tests starting mid-2027 across Houston’s urban and suburban zones.
3. Financial and Investor Implications
As part of the venture, Uber has committed to purchasing up to 35,000 Lucid EVs, providing Lucid with critical revenue as it pursues profitability. Both companies are backed by Saudi Arabia’s PIF, aligning investor interests and underlining the strategic importance of scaling autonomous fleet operations.
