Disneyland must retire or convert Autopia’s gas-powered cars to electric by early 2027 under a California emissions agreement.
The change follows a regulatory violation and settlement over unapproved/uncertified ride engine emissions.
Disney is developing fully electric replacement vehicles, and the ride is expected to continue operating after the switch.
Disneyland fans have noisily puttered around the park’s iconic Autopia attraction since it opened in 1955. But after more than 70 years mostly unchanged, Autopia is at risk of closing unless major changes are made to the attraction’s infrastructure.
In 2024, Disney was forced to pay $56,250 to the California Air Resources Board after failing to disclose that the attraction’s Honda go-kart engines were operating without certified emission controls—$450 per vehicle. As part of the settlement, CARB also laid out a date by which Disney would need to update the attraction, or risk closing it for good.
