Disneyland Swaps Autopia Gas Cars for Electric

Disneyland will phase out the gas-powered engines on its Autopia ride and replace them with electric vehicles next year.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Electric Vehicles

Photograph of a row of small rounded electric vehicles parked beside a clean concrete miniature track under a clear blue sky. — Disneyland will replace the gas-powered cars on its 1955 Autopia ride with electric vehicles, phasing out the engines next year to comply with California emissions rules. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Disneyland will replace the gas-powered cars on its Autopia ride with electric vehicles, with the gasoline engines to be phased out next year. The ride, which opened in 1955 with 40 miniature cars, is in violation of California's emissions regulations.

Why it matters

Autopia's engines were not properly certified, and its cars emit exhaust for up to 16 hours a day, creating a smog microclimate over Tomorrowland. The switch brings the attraction into line with California's stringent emissions rules.

Autopia's Honda engines are rated at 8.5 horsepower, and the cars emit exhaust for up to 16 hours a day. The ride opened in 1955 with 40 cars and has operated for 71 years.

The players

Disneyland

Disneyland is the Anaheim theme park that opened in 1955 and operates the Autopia ride in its Tomorrowland section.

California Air Resources Board

The California Air Resources Board is the state agency that sets and enforces the emissions regulations Autopia was found to violate.

The details

Autopia is the only surviving original attraction at Disneyland's Tomorrowland, and its gas-powered engines will be phased out and replaced by electric vehicles. Exhaust from the ride has created a microclimate of smog over the park section.

1955: Autopia opened with 40 miniature gas-powered cars.
2026: Autopia marks 71 years of operation.
Next year: Gas-powered engines are to be phased out in favor of electric vehicles.

Roadmap

The Autopia change follows California's push to cut emissions from vehicles, including those operated in public attractions. It places a decades-old gas-powered ride on the same track as the state's wider shift toward electric transportation.

Visitors to Disneyland's Tomorrowland will ride electric vehicles rather than gas-powered cars once the phase-out is complete. Anaheim residents near the park may notice less smog from the Autopia ride's exhaust.

The takeaway

Attractions that run on combustion engines face growing pressure to meet state emissions rules. Park operators and visitors alike should expect more electric options as those standards tighten.