California Governor, Gavin Newsom, made an announcement yesterday (September 23rd) that the state of CA would phase out sales of new gas-powered passenger cars by 2035, a move that he said would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.

According to a statement released by the Governor via Twitter, “We’re facing a climate crisis. We need bold action. CA is phasing out the internal combustion engine. By 2035 every new car sold in CA will be an emission-free vehicle. Cars shouldn’t give our kids asthma. Make wildfires worse. Melt glaciers. Or raise sea levels.”

Which has us thinking about a certain attraction in Disneyland’s world of tomorrow . . . 

The Car of the Future: Autopia

When Disneyland premiered in 1955, the Tomorrowland attraction represented the future of ground transportation. The highway of the future gave guests a preview of multilane limited-access roads that were being developed at the time that would eventually become the nation’s freeways. Devoid of traffic jams and other road hazards, the Autopia exemplified the perfect road trip through an idealized future. 

Since its debut, the automotive landscape in the United States has changed dramatically and with that, the Autopia has gone through many incarnations and multiple sponsorships by different corporations. However, the engines of the cars have remained gas-powered.

Back in 2017, Micechat reported on updates made to the attraction after Chevron’s departure as a corporate sponsor. These included the additions of Honda’s trusty robot, ASIMO, and his bird friend (simply named “Bird”) powered by Honda. Repainted and sporting Honda emblems on the hoods, the cars weren’t updated with modern hybrid, electric, or fuel cell propulsion, rather they remained fume-belching and gas-powered.

Disneyland Update – Honk If You Love Autopia

Automotive Futurism

With Governor Newsom’s technology mandate to lower emissions by 2035, how will this impact one of Disneyland’s iconic attractions? With technology growing at an exponential rate, the possibilities for a reimagined Autopia that responds to the need for cleaner air emissions are boundless. 

The Walt Disney Company has made many strides over the years to take steps to reduce their environmental footprint by expanding their use of solar, biodiesel, and more efficient systems. Disney calls this program “Environmentality.” Walt Disney once said:   

“The natural resources of our vast continent are not inexhaustible. But if we use our riches wisely, if we will protect our wildlife and preserve our lakes and streams, these things will last us for generations to come.”

But one attraction which is the poster child of inefficiency and the past is the Autopia. Let’s take a look at possible solutions from visionaries of the past.

Back to the Future: Electric Cars of 1967 and other Visions of Tomorrow

Electric cars aren’t a new concept. In fact, there have been many prototypes that have been built and tested by automotive designers and engineers.

One of these futuristic cars included the 1967 AMC Amitron subcompact car built by American Motors Corporation (AMC) and Gulton Industries. It looked a bit like something out of the Jetsons cartoon. The prototype included a number of advanced features, including regenerative braking and advanced battery designs.

Another innovation, the 1967 Electric Ford Comuta, featured a luxury interior and plenty of leg space for a comfortable ride. Take a look at this remarkable Ford-designed experiment:

ArtCenter College of Design graduate and legendary automotive designer/illustrator Syd Mead envisioned cars that included a sleek design and few exterior embellishments. Many of his renderings celebrated the moment of discovering grandeur and a sense of wonder for an optimistic future. 

, Is Disneyland’s Autopia an Attraction of the Future or the Past?

Who says flying cars exist only in the minds of filmmakers? Last year, electronics firm NEC previewed their flying car that successfully hovered above the ground for four minutes, one of the few flying cars to reach that milestone. 

Although the technology is still being developed, the Japanese government hopes to have flying cars available to the public by the 2030s. Perhaps the road to tomorrow isn’t just on paved roads, as the car of the future may have destinations as limitless as the blue sky above us. 

, Is Disneyland’s Autopia an Attraction of the Future or the Past?

Today, most major vehicle manufacturers produce hybrid and electric cars. Some are also experimenting with fuel cells, a technology that leaves only oxygen and water as an emission. Could one of these technologies be Autopia’s salvation? Or, will the attraction drive off into the sunset, freeing its massive real estate for a future attraction?  

Last November, frequent Micechat guest writer David Koenig explored the different possibilities that Imagineers have explored to replace the Autopia and argues for maintaining the experience for future generations:  

David Koenig: Proposals to Replace the Disneyland Autopia Are Misguided


Save On Future Disney Travel

, Is Disneyland’s Autopia an Attraction of the Future or the Past?

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Let’s Hear From You

With California speeding toward the future of automotive technology, is the Autopia soon to be too far out of date to remain as is? Should the Autopia be reimagined to showcase the future of driving, or replaced entirely? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. 

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