According to the LA Times, Disneyland Resort is preparing to replace the gas cars of Autopia.

Disney Replacing Autopia Cars

“Since opening with Disneyland park in 1955, Autopia has remained a guest-favorite most popular with young kids experiencing driving for the first time,” spokesperson Jessica Good said in an email to the Times. “As the industry moves toward alternative fuel sources, we have developed a roadmap to electrify this attraction and are evaluating technology that will enable us to convert from gas engines in the next few years.”

Good did not confirm whether that means the ride will get electric vehicles or possibly hybrids.

Times’ climate columnist Sammy Roth spoke to Disney Legend Bob Gurr before the news was confirmed. Gurr designed Autopia about 70 years ago and is proud of what he and Walt built but also said, “Get rid of those God-awful gasoline fumes.”

Gurr also told Roth about his vision for a Tomorrowland that would be a hub for stories about renewable energy, public transit, and other sustainable technologies that will help create a better tomorrow.

“This has to be done with positive urging, rather than attacking and criticizing,” Gurr said.

At the very least, Gurr thinks Tomorrowland could use brighter colors and more kinetic energy where guests could “hear these whirring sounds like little tiny jets and turbines all over the place” and “don’t smell the fumes, don’t hear that racket of the little motor going putt-putt-putt.”

Autopia underwent a significant refurbishment in 2016 when Honda became the ride’s sponsor. It’s possible Disney could be planning an electric update for when the sponsorship contract ends or is renewed, likely in 2026.

Other versions of Autopia exist in Disneyland Paris and Magic Kingdom (as the Tomorrowland Speedway). Versions of the car ride previously existed at Tokyo Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland. The Hong Kong version, which operated from 2006 to 2016, used electric cars.

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