California issues funds for UCLA charging infrastructure

UCLA Events and Transportation has received significant funding from the California State Transportation Agency’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program. The funds will be used to bolster electrified public transport and accompanying infrastructure.

electric bus bruin bus ucla california — Image: UCLA, Diego Alva, Lance Patacsil

A $19.85 million grant has been received by the University of California, Los Angeles, in collaboration with CALSTART, a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating clean transportation, and wireless charging provider Electreon. Together, the partners plan to help UCLA’s BruinBus public transport fleet to electrify its operations and expand service and will fund California’s first in-road electric charging system. The plan is to be completed in time for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“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,” said Tony Lucas, executive director of UCLA Events and Transportation.

“The new transit hub and extension will be a game-changer for connectivity in Westwood,” said Clinton Bench, director of UCLA Fleet and Transit. “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.”

Electreon has multiple inductive charging projects around the globe, including a project with UPS in Detroit, as well as in Israel, as well as in Coventry. The company’s first such project was completed in Sweden in 2019.

ucla.edu