Universal Studios Hollywood has converted four of its 21 Studio Tour trams from diesel-hydraulic engines to electric as part of Comcast NBCUniversal’s attempts to reduce carbon emissions.
Universal’s Studio Tour attraction takes visitors through authentic movie and television production studios. Guests experience a flash flood and earthquake, and meet King Kong and Jaws.
Eventually, all 21 trams in the Studio Tour fleet will be electric. The move will help reduce carbon emissions and improve the visitor experience by limiting noise associated with the diesel-hydraulic engines.
“I am extremely proud of this innovative undertaking and our commitment to creating a zero-emissions Studio Tour fleet in collaboration with our parent company and local partners,” said Scott Strobl, executive VP and general manager at Universal Studios Hollywood.
“This is just one of many steps we are taking to transform our business in line with Comcast NBCUniversal’s carbon neutral goal, all while pioneering first-class attractions for our guests.”
21 trams in fleet are going electric
The trams will charge at the start and end of the attraction route, and a regenerative braking feature means the vehicles will charge when they travel downhill.
The project is made possible by a grant from the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which provides funding to replace older equipment with cleaner options.
“It is truly so exciting to see initiatives like Universal Studios Hollywood’s new fleet of electric Studio Tour trams come to fruition – initiatives that show our public and private entities working together to do our part to combat air quality and climate change,” said LA Councilmember Nithya Raman.
“As a new member of the South Coast Air Quality Management board, I am looking to broaden these types of collaborations and accelerate the positive impacts they will have for our region and world. Our climate crisis demands we do this.”
Meanwhile, the first Super Nintendo World in the US is set to launch in 2023 at Universal Studios Hollywood, offering an innovative and immersive new land in California.
greenloop, blooloop’s conference on sustainability in visitor attractions, is taking place on 19-20 April.
blooloop is supporting Earth Day’s tree planting Canopy Project by donating £1 for each ticket sold, and will also give at least 5 percent of greenloop ticketing revenue to Project Seagrass.
Images: Comcast NBCUniversal
