Author: EVAI

Disneyland will replace gasoline vehicles at its Autopia ride with EVs in 2026, the Los Angeles Times confirmed this week.

Autopia is one of the longer-running attractions at the Anaheim, California, Walt Disney Co. theme park and it undoubtedly has a role in nurturing auto enthusiasm for kids.

With clarification that these vehicles will be “fully electric,” it’s a moment of relief for climate advocates, who were waiting for Disney to specify whether the replacement Autopia vehicles would be EVs, hybrids, or some other configuration that still allowed for combustion engines, advocacy group Plug-In America noted in a press release.

The groups drawing attention to the disparities in recent weeks and encouraging the shift to electric are planning a Sunday morning (10 a.m.) rally celebrating the decision at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank.

Honda at Autopia

“We consider this a victory and thank Disneyland for making the right choice for employees, visitors and the air we all breathe,” Zan Dubin, co-founder of National Drive Electric Week, said in a statement.

Disneyland will phase out the gasoline engines in its Autopia vehicles “within the next 30 months,” according to the Los Angeles Times. That means the EVs will arrive by fall 2026, but the sooner the better, advocates say.

“Employees work eight-hour shifts standing inches away from Autopia’s smog-spewing tailpipes,” noted Dubin.

Honda might have issue with the term “smog-spewing,” as it noted to Green Car Reports that when it began its sponsorship of Autopia in 2016 it replaced existing engines at the attraction with more efficient Honda iGX270 engines.

“As a part of our sponsorship, we continue to work with Disneyland Resort to tell inspirational stories that celebrate personal mobility and freedom, which are at the heart of the attraction and a good fit for Honda’s corporate slogan, ‘The Power of Dreams,'” stated Honda.

Honda 0 Saloon concept

Although it’s unclear what level of emissions devices these vehicles do have on them, motorcycles and small internal-combustion engines have been in some respects a bigger problem than cars and trucks, because emissions controls for smaller engines generally aren’t as extensive as in passenger cars.

Opened in 1955, Autopia was originally sponsored by Richfield Oil (which later merged into ARCO), and then by Chevron from 2000 to 2012. Since 2016, the attraction has been sponsored by Honda. The automaker said at the time that it had a 10-year deal, meaning it will end in 2026—around the same time the switch to EVs is scheduled to be completed. 

Honda preparing EV hub in Ohio

Honda has been cautious about EVs, but last week it revealed that it might potentially ramp up its EVs in a way that might outpace all but Tesla in U.S. EV production. Honda says battery-electric and fuel-cell electric vehicles will make up 100% of its global sales by 2040.

By electrifying an attraction once sponsored by oil companies and conceived in the golden age of automotive optimism, Disney (and perhaps Honda) could set an example and acknowledge that shifting to EVs will save thousands of lives by 2050.

Local air pollution can cause asthma in kids, and communities of color are adversely burdened by vehicle air pollution, a 2022 study found.

The author of ‘City Limits: Infrastructure, Inequality and The Future of America’s Highways’ examines the financial, environmental and human costs of highway expansions, explains the way interstates are funded, and details prospects of highway removal.

Ferrari has filed a patent application for a hydrogen-powered internal-combustion engine, hinting that the automaker is considering this as a way to keep combustion engines alive in a future with stricter emissions regulations. Unlike hydrogen fuel cells, which generate electricity that is then used to power motors, hydrogen combustion engines…

Which EV maker is grading how reliably fast-charge stations work with its vehicles?

Which automaker reportedly scrapped development of ICE range extenders for EVs? 

This is our look back at the Week In Reverse—right here at Green Car Reports—for the week ending April 19, 2024.

In a  first drive of the 2025 Toyota Camry hybrid, we found that the hybrid system blends into the background—just like the rest of the car, which has now appropriately gone all-hybrid. Available all-wheel drive, its ratings of up to 51 mpg combined, and a comfortable, spacious interior make it one of the most appealing Camry sedans yet. 

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

And on a first drive of the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, Green Car Reports found what might be a motorsports game-changer—an EV that brings more emotion and joy to high-performance driving, with the capability to keep its cool out on the track. 

Rivian has announced that it’s rating EV fast-chargers for real-world reliability—and including those letter-grade ratings in its route planning and interface. It’s a situation that may put some pressure on networks to prioritize reliability, and in the meantime it may favor Tesla Supercharging and its generally superior reliability. 

Rivian charging grades for trip planning – Software Update 2024.11.01

The Kentucky-made three-row Toyota electric SUV that the automaker has been underscoring is on the way has taken on an intriguing twist with new info: that it’s reportedly a Toyota Highlander EV. According to the originating report, the Highlander will go all-electric, leaving room for a Grand Highlander offering various gasoline-fueled flavors. Plus, reportedly, Toyota’s “bZ” nomenclature might already be toast.

“Trapped” accelerator pedals are prompting a Tesla Cybertruck recall that, based on recall documents, may have been spurred by a production workaround on the assembly line. Tesla is recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks for the issue but acted quickly, with a reengineered component already introduced.

2024 Toyota Prius

The 2023-2025 Toyota Prius is being recalled for an issue that might cause waterlogged electronic rear door latches to suddenly short-circuit and open. In the meantime, Toyota is advising Prius owners to lock those doors while driving. 

It’s looking increasingly likely that the first U.S.-bound fully electric luxury convertible will come from Italy. The Maserati GranCabrio Folgore, revealed Monday, is due to arrive in America in the fourth quarter of the year, as a 2025 model, with a price above $200,000.

2025 Maserati GranCabrio Folgore

The 2024 Lucid Air Grand Touring is now being delivered, and once again it hits a 516-mile EPA range—the best of any EV. But with the addition of a head pump, improved automatic preconditioning, and up to 30% faster DC charging, it’s likely to cut the time spent at road-trip charging stops even more. 

GMC confirmed a starting price just under $100,000 and an EPA range of 440 miles for its top 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 electric pickup. That includes four-wheel steering and CrabWalk capabilities, plus GM’s SuperCruise and the same very high-power charging rates as the GMC Hummer EV. 

2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1

Mercedes-Benz announced pricing and details for its 2025 eSprinter electric van lineup, which includes a smaller 81-kwh battery pack and shorter standard-roof version at a base price of $63,545 that’s more competitive versus fleet-oriented rivals. 

Mercedes has also, reportedly, scrapped its extended-range EV powertrains under development, at least partly because they were too expensive and seen as a technological patch. The plug-in series hybrids would have used dramatically downsized engines—a turbo-2 for the EQS—while halving the EV battery pack. 

According to data analyzed by Bloomberg New Energy Finance this past week, China now makes enough batteries for global EV production, In 2023, manufacturing capacity was already double what global battery-cell demand amounted to for EVs and energy storage combined, and if companies keep to announcements there may be even more of a gap between supply of cells and demand by EV plants. 

2024 Nissan Leaf

According to a recent deep dive into EV cost of ownership, half of new 2024 EVs cost less over five years versus ICE models—despite depreciation, which was far greater this past year.

While U.S. electricity demand has remained flat, or declined, in recent years, that’s not the case around EV battery plants—and new EV factories may be causing additional pollution, according to a recent report. Biden administration policy has greatly incentivized the growth of EV assembly plants and battery plants, and for labor reasons most of those have been sited in the American Southeast. That’s caused a spike in electricity demand, leading utilities to shift their power mix toward natural gas and away from renewables.

Gravity EV charging center in New York City

Despite a leveling-off of demand and more conservative sales growth of EVs themselves, U.S. fast-charger growth is accelerating in recent months. Just in the first quarter of the year the total number of fast-chargers is up nearly 8%, fueled by the Biden administration’s NEVI program—now amounting to one fast-charger for every 15 U.S. gas stations.

And if $50,000 EVs still lose $6,000, according to a recent analysis, when will EVs become profitable? Various financial incentives will help; so will range and efficiency; but the simple answer may rest on production volume.

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Mercedes-Benz AMG continues to expand its redesigned GT Coupe lineup, this time with the addition of the first plug-in hybrid. The 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 S E Performance arrives at U.S. dealerships later this year as the most powerful version of the GT Coupe, boasting a maximum output of 805 hp and 1,047 lb-ft of torque from its…

Toyota continues to roll out its revamped product line, with the 2025 4Runner completing the overhaul on the truck side, and our first drive with the new Land Cruiser. We also took a last spin of the Mini Cooper Clubman in rorty John Cooper Works form, and revisited the excellent Ford Maverick hybrid. Here’s what moved us this week. Reviews 2025…

Saleen’s redesigned 302 based on the seventh-generation Mustang was revealed this week. Like the outgoing generation, buyers can choose from White, Yellow, and Black Label grades, with output levels this time ranging from 510 to 800 hp. Ford marked the 60th anniversary of the Mustang nameplate this week. Among the celebrations was the reveal of a…

We drove the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, the 2025 Maserati GranCabrio Folgore debuted, and 2024 Lucid Air Grand Touring specs were released. It’s the Week in Reverse, right here at Motor Authority. We drove the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser and found it pivots to retro charm. The iconic nameplate returns as a smaller, less expensive, more focused…

Road-trip fast-chargers for EVs are growing at a record pace. EV factories in the Southeast may inadvertently be creating more pollution for all ratepayers. And saving seconds with soap may have initiated an in-person recall of thousands of Cybertrucks. This and more, here at Green Car Reports. 

“Trapped” accelerator pedals are prompting a Tesla Cybertruck recall that, based on recall documents, may have been spurred by a production workaround on the assembly line. Tesla is recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks for the issue but acted quickly, with a reengineered component already introduced.

While U.S. electricity demand has remained flat, or declined, in recent years, that’s not the case around EV battery plants—and new EV factories may be causing additional pollution, according to a recent report. Biden administration policy has greatly incentivized the growth of EV assembly plants and battery plants, and for labor reasons most of those have been sited in the American Southeast. That’s caused a spike in electricity demand, leading utilities to shift their power mix toward natural gas and away from renewables.

And U.S. fast-charger growth is accelerating in recent months, despite a leveling of sales and demand. Just in the first quarter of the year the total number of fast-chargers is up nearly 8%, fueled by the Biden administration’s NEVI program—now amounting to one fast-charger for every 15 U.S. gas stations.

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