The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has received a $19.85 million grant from the California State Transportation Agency’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program. This funding will be used to support the electrification of UCLA’s BruinBus fleet and the development of electric charging infrastructure in the Westwood area.
In partnership with CALSTART, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing clean transportation, and wireless charging provider Electreon, UCLA aims to enhance its public transport services and install California’s first in-road electric charging system. This initiative is part of a broader effort to prepare for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and will contribute to the expansion of sustainable transit options in Los Angeles.
Tony Lucas, executive director of UCLA Events and Transportation, emphasized the significance of the grant, stating, “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.”
Clinton Bench, director of UCLA Fleet and Transit, highlighted the broader impact of the project: “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.”
Electreon, known for its inductive charging projects worldwide, will play a key role in the initiative. The company has ongoing projects in Detroit with UPS, as well as in Israel and Coventry, with its first such project completed in Sweden in 2019.
