Disneyland is set to replace the gas-powered cars on its classic Autopia attraction with electric vehicles to comply with a California mandate requiring the retirement of such engines by February 1. The change aims to align the attraction with the state's environmental regulations.
The vehicles on Autopia have utilized gas-powered engines since the attraction's debut in 1955. The current fleet runs on 8.5 horsepower Honda four-stroke engines. Honda, which currently sponsors the ride, is in ongoing discussions regarding its future partnership with the attraction, according to a Honda spokesperson.
This transition follows a previous incident in 2024 where Disneyland paid a $56,000 settlement to the California Air Resources Board. The settlement was due to the Autopia cars operating without certified emissions controls, which the park attributed to an "administrative oversight."
Ride designer Bob Gurr has been advocating for the switch to electric power for the attraction since 2000, expressing concerns about the environmental impact of the gas engines. Disneyland announced plans to convert the ride to electric vehicles in 2024 as part of its broader commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030 through increased use of renewable energy sources.