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Disneyland to Retire Gas Engines at Autopia by Early 2027
The Orange County Register has confirmed that Disneyland Resort now has a definitive timeline for its long-awaited project: retiring Autopia’s traditional gas-powered fleet in favor of a more modern alternative.
Related – Autopia in Disneyland to be Fully Electric by 2026
Disneyland is officially accelerating its journey toward a greener future, moving forward with plans to swap the classic gas-powered Autopia fleet for fully electric vehicles. According to reports from the Orange County Register, Disneyland officials have reached a formal agreement with the California Air Resources Board to phase out the attraction’s existing gas engines by early 2027.
The resort is currently in the thick of the “Imagineering” process, developing and testing a fully electric prototype to ensure the new ride vehicles maintain the classic Autopia charm without the exhaust. While the specific dates for the attraction’s temporary closure and subsequent grand reopening have not been revealed, Disney is expected to share more technical details and timelines soon.
This update slightly shifts the timeline originally announced in 2024, which initially aimed for a fall 2026 completion. Under the new agreement, the iconic rumble of gas engines will officially become a thing of the past in early 2027, marking a major milestone in the park’s environmental commitment.
As an opening-day original from 1955, Autopia has invited generations of guests to take the wheel on its winding guided roadways. For nearly seven decades, the distinct rumble and scent of gasoline engines have been a signature part of the Tomorrowland experience, making this upcoming shift to electric power a historic milestone for the park.
Over the years, the attraction has evolved through several high-profile partnerships and redesigns. Most recently, Autopia underwent a major refurbishment in 2016 when Honda took over as the official sponsor. According to D23, the ride’s history of sponsorship is a “who’s who” of industry giants, starting with Richfield Oil from 1955 to 1970, followed by Chevron from 2000 to 2012.
Beyond its sponsors, the track itself has seen numerous overhauls in 1959, 1964, and 1968, with the most significant modernization occurring between September 1999 and June 2000 during the Chevron era. This latest transition to electric vehicles marks the next big chapter in the attraction’s 70-year legacy.
While Disneyland’s version prepares for its electric debut, other versions of the legendary “self-driving” attraction continue to entertain guests worldwide. The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World hosts the Tomorrowland Speedway, while Disneyland Paris operates its own classic iteration. Meanwhile, international parks have seen some changes: Tokyo Disneyland’s Grand Circuit Raceway retired in 2017, and Hong Kong Disneyland’s Autopia closed in 2016. Notably, the Hong Kong version was ahead of its time, utilizing electric cars enhanced by special lighting effects and onboard audio.
This transition to electric power at Disneyland is a cornerstone of the resort’s ambitious sustainability initiative. By phasing out gas engines, Disneyland Resort is taking a significant step toward its goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2030, focusing on reducing its overall carbon footprint and championing the use of clean, renewable energy.
What do you think about this change to Autopia?
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