People who come from around the country to receive care from one of the nation’s top hospitals will now begin their path to improved health on a ride that leaves the environment in better shape. Two incoming GreenPower zero-emission shuttle buses will support patient care at UCLA’s hospitals in Westwood and Santa Monica, joining an expanding green fleet that provides essential mobility to the UCLA community every day of the year.
The GreenPower EV Star Min-E buses ordered by UCLA Transportation for UCLA Health will transport patients and visitors, as well as staff and faculty working at the medical centers. GreenPower is a zero-emission electric bus manufacturer that offers medium and heavy-duty transit vehicles. Electrifying is sustainable, with fuel savings, lower operational costs, and reduced noise pollution.
With two ADA positions and nine passenger seats, the para-transit mini-buses will provide safe, comfortable, and reliable service for both medical centers. An EV Star Min-eBus can fully charge in as little as 1.5 hours, has a life expectancy of 10 years, and comes equipped with a parking sensor, seat belt alarm system, electric swing door, LED daytime driving lights, electric turn signal integrated side-view mirrors, and more innovative features.
Per the University of California Office of the President’s Climate Action Plan, as well as UCLA’s own sustainability goals, UCLA Transportation works to cut carbon emissions by implementing alternative fuel vehicles and technologies, like the EV Star.
UCLA’s current inventory of close to 1,100 vehicles, 62% of which are alternative-fueled, includes flex-fuel, biodiesel, battery-electric, and plug-in hybrid. UCLA Transportation requires the selection of battery electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles for all new University vehicle purchases if they are available in the classification needed by a campus user.
The ongoing switch to low- and zero-emission vehicles saves nearly 5,000 gallons of fuel and an estimated 42.5 metric tons of CO2 each year. The newest alternative fuel acquisition for UCLA Health moves UCLA Transportation closer to the goal of a completely carbon neutral fleet by 2025.
