Host: Jared Schnader, Senior Director, Bus Initiative Leader at CALSTART

Guests: Clinton Bench, Director of Fleet and Transit at UCLA, and Sharad Agarwal, Chief Operating Officer at Onward

Podcast Summary: In this episode, Jared Schnader discusses the future of autonomous vehicles (AVs), the intersection of electric and hydrogen vehicles, and the technological advancements in transportation with Clinton Bench and Sharad Agarwal. They dive into the return on investment (ROI) of these technologies, the upcoming opportunities at the 2028 Olympics, and how business models in the mobility sector need to adapt for sustainability. With an exclusive focus on the experiences of UCLA and broader observations from Onward, the discussion underscores the steps and challenges involved in achieving the goal of carbon neutrality in vehicle operations.

Key Takeaways:

1. University of California's carbon neutrality initiative aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025, and UCLA has reached about 33% electrification in its fleet.
2. One of the biggest challenges during electrification is the lack of infrastructure planning, particularly for charging capabilities.
3. Adaptive load management is essential to balance and prioritize electric charging needs.
4. Safety and cost reduction are the primary driving factors behind the push toward autonomous vehicles in transportation.
5. AVs have the potential to decrease long-term maintenance costs.
6. Challenges in AVs stem from integrating them into unpredictable environments rather than the technology itself.
7. The 2028 Olympics offers an opportunity to showcase zero-emission transportation.
8. The distinction and applications of battery-electric vs. hydrogen fuel cell technology are essential to the future of transportation, which should include a blend of hydrogen and electric vehicles.

Questions Covered During the Discussion:

1. What are the primary concerns in transitioning from 33% electrification to 100%?
2. What technologies do we need in the transportation sector?
3. How do subsidies influence the transition to electric vehicles?
4. What are the benefits of autonomous vehicles, and how do they fit into the zero-emission landscape?
5. How does the ROI look for AVs?
6. Why is the price of AV technology still high?
7. How can autonomous buses impact safety?
8. What challenges and innovations should we expect for the 2028 Olympics regarding transportation?
9. What are the hopes and realities of implementing AVs and advanced transport during the Olympics?
10. How has technology from transit percolated into trucking and vice versa?
11. What potential advancements can we expect for electric vs. hydrogen vehicles?

Discussion Highlights:

• Clinton delves deep into UCLA's experience, mentioning the university's aggressive push to electrify its fleet. Despite their impressive progress, they've faced challenges, particularly regarding charging infrastructure.
• Sharad underscores the importance of subsidies, especially in California, to support the growth of electric vehicles. He believes fleet-as-a-service could be a promising model and emphasizes the potential of electric vehicles acting as storage batteries.
• Safety is a primary reason to pursue AVs. The ROI in autonomous vehicles comes in terms of efficiency and the reduction of labor costs. AVs have the potential to standardize operations, leading to longer vehicle lifespans.
• The technology for dedicated autonomous vehicles has existed in Europe for two decades.
• The ideal 2028 Olympics includes a robust transportation system showcasing autonomous and electric vehicles.

Overall, the discussion comprehensively shows the challenges and opportunities in zero-emission transportation. Whether it's through electrification, better infrastructure planning, or the integration of autonomous vehicles, the future of transportation is evolving rapidly.