UCLA has been awarded a 19.85 million USD grant to support the electrification of its BruinBus fleet and fund the state’s first wireless charging road, to be delivered by Electreon.
This grant, provided by the California State Transportation Agency’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, will help UCLA achieve a fully electric transit system in time for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The primary goal of the grant is to transition UCLA’s BruinBus fleet to 100% electric vehicles. Currently, the fleet includes five all-electric buses and a passenger van. The new funding will add another eight electric buses, significantly expanding service and reducing the campus’ carbon footprint.
The buses serve vital routes connecting UCLA’s student residential areas, medical centres, academic buildings, and more, including key connections to other transit agencies in Los Angeles.
Tony Lucas, executive director of UCLA Events and Transportation said:This transformative grant will significantly enhance our transportation network, providing a cleaner, more efficient BruinBus fleet that aligns with our commitment to sustainability and innovation.
The grant will also fund California’s first-ever electric road system. UCLA is partnering with CALSTART, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to accelerating clean transportation, and Electreon, a wireless charging provider, to integrate advanced charging technology into its campus transit routes.
Inductive charging coils will be installed below the roadway on Charles E. Young Dr., between Westwood Plaza and Murphy Hall, allowing electric vehicles to charge while in motion.
Stefan Tongur, Electreon’s vice president of business development said:The world needs innovative, scalable solutions with transformative impact to advance electrification, and this project demonstrates California's commitment to a more sustainable, efficient and accessible future. Electreon is proud to be working with UCLA and CALSTART to bring our advanced EV charging technology to the region’s transit system, ushering in an increasingly electric future for all.
This wireless charging technology offers a solution for transit electrification by reducing the need for large, heavy batteries.
Electric buses and shuttles will charge as they drive along the relevant routes, while static wireless charging stations will also be placed at key pick-up and drop-off points, including the new UCLA transit hub.
The wireless charging system could serve as a model for the entire state of California. According to Jared Schnader, CALSTART senior director, the technology could revolutionise transit systems by making electric vehicles more efficient, reducing downtime for charging, and improving overall sustainability.
Schnader said:By integrating advanced charging technology into the UCLA transit system, we are setting a precedent for the entire state. If adopted widely, this innovation could revolutionise transit electrification, enhancing efficiency and sustainability across California’s transportation infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the new UCLA transit hub will serve as a major connection point, linking UCLA directly to L.A. Metro’s D Line light rail extension by 2028, which will enhance connectivity throughout Westwood and beyond.
Clinton Bench, director of UCLA Fleet and Transit said:The new transit hub and extension will be a game-changer for connectivity in Westwood. It will make it easier for everyone to travel between UCLA and key destinations throughout Los Angeles, especially as the city prepares to host the Olympics, thereby fostering a more integrated and accessible urban landscape.
