With a keen eye on the future, Universal Studios Hollywood debuted the first four electric trams in its fleet of 21 Studio Tour trams. A fitting development that echoes the means Dr. Frankenstein used to bring his creature to life. The world-famous, behind-the-scenes Studio Tour is the signature attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood, for over 55 years, has taken millions of guests from around the world through authentic movie and television production studios and dynamic rides.

“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 Vice President and General Manager, 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.”

Weather and feature anchor of NBC’s TODAY and Co-host, 3rd Hour of TODAY, Al Roker is featured in a video introduction aboard the trams as part of the guest experience.

NBC's Al Roker Announces Electric Tram Conversion of Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood

The conversion to electric trams has been in development since 2017 by visionaries within the Universal Studios Hollywood technical services department and represents some of the first-ever and largest battery-powered, off-road, high-torque, and low-speed mass people movers in the U.S. The full conversion of the 21 trams from diesel-hydraulic engines to electric will help reduce carbon emissions as well as improve the guest experience by reducing noise associated with the diesel-hydraulic engine.

The company behind the installation of inductive charging technology from WAVE (Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification) was Ideanomics. Trams will routinely charge during the normal operation at the start and end of the attraction route. Coupled with a regenerative braking feature, the trams will continue to build up charge when they travel downhill, providing added energy efficiency. The elaborate clean air conversion design process evolved from a collaboration between Universal Studios Hollywood and L.A.-based Complete Coach Works to reimagine the trams from diesel-hydraulic engines to electric. The project continues to be made possible by a grant from the South Coast Air Quality Management District — the local regulatory agency that works to reduce air pollution in the region.

We actually got a chance to ride in the brand new trams and we have to say we were impressed. Gone is the rumble of a diesel engine. In its place is the now more apparent noises of the tram itself and, more importantly, the tour guide. This enhances the tour tremendously and is good for the environment. Very cool. Now it will be even harder to hear the Terror Tram sneak up on you during Halloween Horror Nights.