LACI Launches Zero Emissions Mobility Pilot in Partnership with Warner Center Association; Elected Officials & Community Leaders Celebrate New EV Shuttle Service for Warner Center Community
First LACI Pilot in the Warner Center Transportation Technology Innovation Zone Aims to Expand Clean, Affordable MicroTransit Options in the West San Fernando Valley; Shuttle Operations will Provide Learnings for Potential Scaling of Solutions
Los Angeles, March 27, 2026 – Today, the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) and the Warner Center Association hosted a press conference and ribbon cutting to formally launch an innovative microtransit pilot project at Warner Center in partnership with the Warner Center Association. The pilot, which is now operational in the Warner Center’s Transportation Technology Innovation Zone (TTIZ), will bring an all-electric shuttle service to the West San Fernando Valley.
The shuttles are provided by Circuit, a LACI portfolio company and a leading provider of electric, on-demand microtransit services. Shuttles will be available for $1 per ride from 6am-8pm on weekdays and 7am-9pm on weekends within the geographic area of Warner Center. The all-electric vehicle fleet includes GEM e6 six-seat electric shuttles, Volkswagen ID Buzz vans, and an ADA-accessible Ford E-Transit van.
“By launching this EV shuttle pilot here at Warner Center–a far reaching and bustling live-work community in the heart of the West San Fernando Valley–we have an opportunity to expand mobility access for the local residents, commuters, and visitors, while also showcasing the power of zero emissions solutions,” said Matt Petersen, President and CEO of LACI. “We are grateful for the support of Councilmember Blumenfield, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, and Senator Henry Stern for securing the funding that has allowed us to work with the Warner Center Association to deploy this innovative pilot.”
“Warner Center is exactly the kind of community where microtransit can make a real difference, and we’re proud to finally be up and running for the people who live and work here,” said Daniel Kramer, Vice President of Business Development (West) at Circuit. “This is just the beginning, and we look forward to growing with the community as Warner Center continues to evolve.”
This shuttle service launch is the first of two planned LACI Innovation Pilots in the bustling live-work Warner Center community. Later this year, LACI will launch a second pilot that will deliver mobile EV charging robots provided by EV Safe Charge. These low-cost solutions will be available for residents, employees, commuters, and visitors alike–all while testing market-ready technologies ahead of wider rollouts.
During the launch event, local elected officials and community leaders voiced their support for this innovative solution:
“It’s not often that we have the opportunity to take a step together that has the potential to truly change the nature of our community,” said Brad Rosenheim, Executive Officer of the Warner Center Association. “Today signifies one of those rare opportunities and I could not be more grateful to Councilmember Blumenfield, Supervisor Horvath, Assemblymember Gabriel, Senator Stern, our partners at LACI and Circuit and the Warner Center Association Board of Directors for making this new transit opportunity possible.”
“As Warner Center has seen the largest growth in Los Angeles with residents, businesses, and visitors, this circulator is an exciting addition—making it easier, more affordable, and environmentally friendly for people to get where they need to go,” said Councilmember Bob Blumenfield.
“The Warner Center has been an important hub for innovation and economic growth in the West Valley,” Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee. “That’s why I’m proud to have secured $2 million in state funding to deliver clean, zero-emissions transportation options that will help reduce pollution and congestion in our community. I’m grateful to LACI and the Warner Center Association for their important partnership in this effort.”
The TTIZ serves as a hub for innovation where LACI seeks to invite zero emissions mobility, charging, and other solutions into a dedicated ‘innovation sandbox’ to better serve the needs of over 14,000 Angelenos who call Warner Center their home as well as the 45,000 people who work in the community. LACI and the Warner Center Association are piloting these transportation technologies in the TTIZ testbed following LACI’s merger with Urban Movement Labs in 2024.
The pilot is scheduled to run for an initial period of one year. Funding for the pilots comes from the State Legislature via the Governor’s Office of Business Development (GoBiz) and the Office of Councilmember Bob Blumenfield.
ABOUT LACI:
The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is unlocking innovation by scaling cleantech startups, transforming markets through catalytic partnerships with policymakers, innovators, and market leaders, and enhancing communities through workforce training, pilots and other programs. Founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and its Department of Water & Power (LADWP) in 2011, LACI is recognized as one of the top 10 innovative business incubators in the world by UBI. LACI has helped 506 portfolio companies raise over $1 billion in funding, generated $344 million in revenue, and created 2,626 jobs throughout the Los Angeles region, with a long term economic impact of more than $733 million.
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