Disneyland plans to update Autopia with electric vehicles and retire the gas-powered engines on the 1955 opening day Tomorrowland attraction after reaching a settlement agreement with the state agency that regulates air pollution in California.
Disneyland paid a $56,000 settlement to the California Air Resources Board in 2024 after disclosing the Honda engines on Autopia ride vehicles were operating without certified emission controls.
The California Air Resources Board fine was the result of an administrative oversight that was promptly corrected with no impact to the environment, according to Disneyland officials.
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In September 2023, Disneyland disclosed to the California Air Resources Board that the Honda go-kart engines on Autopia ride vehicles had been modified in a way that violated state regulations for small off-road engines.
State regulators alleged in February 2024 that Disneyland operated the Honda engines on the Autopia attraction without certified emission controls, according to the California Air Resources Board.
In August 2024, Disneyland voluntarily agreed to pay a $56,250 settlement to resolve the violations without admitting liability.
The California Air Resources Board is responsible for protecting the public from the harmful effects of air pollution.
Disneyland reached an agreement with the California Air Resources Board to retire the current Autopia gas-powered engines in early 2027, according to Disneyland officials.
Disneyland is working on the design, engineering and testing of a fully electric Autopia ride vehicle prototype, according to Disneyland officials.
Disneyland will share more details soon on the updates planned for the Autopia attraction in Tomorrowland. Closing and reopening dates have not yet been set for the Autopia update.
Disneyland originally announced plans in April 2024 to convert Autopia from gas to electric power by fall 2026.
The Disneyland Resort takes seriously its commitment to meet or exceed all applicable air quality requirements, according to Disneyland officials.
Electrifying Autopia is part of Disney’s goal of incorporating a net zero emissions future into every aspect of the Disneyland resort and reducing its overall carbon footprint, according to Disneyland officials.
The Disneyland resort has made a sustainability commitment of reaching net zero emissions by 2030 by increasingly relying on cleaner renewable energy sources.