Universal Studios Hollywood Adds Electric Trams To Studio Tour Fleet

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA — In keeping with its emission-reduction goals, Universal Studios Hollywood this week added its first four electric trams to the fleet of 21 Studio Tour vehicles.

“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,” said Scott Strobl, the park's executive vice president and general manager.

The parent company set a target of being carbon neutral by 2035, with a focus on its theme parks' energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction and recycling.

Universal's behind-the-scenes Studio Tour is an iconic attraction, and for the past 55 years has ferried millions of visitors through its authentic movie and television production studios and such famous film sets as "Jaws," "King Kong 360 3-D," "Fast & Furious - Supercharged!" and the Bates Motel from Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho."

The electric trams will charge during normal operations 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, management said.

Engineers installed a high-tech, charging technology from WAVE (Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification) by Ideanomics that was critical to meet the trams’ daily demands of navigating the studio’s varying topography.

The tram conversion, from diesel-hydraulic engines to electric, evolved from a collaboration between Universal Studios Hollywood and L.A.-based Complete Coach Works.

Also aiding the effort was a grant from the South Coast Air Quality Management District and investments from Comcast NBCUniversal and Southern California Edison through its Charge Ready Transport Program, according to park officials.

Universal Studios Hollywood featured NBC’s TODAY weather and anchor and co-host, 3rd Hour of TODAY, Al Roker, in a video introduction aboard the trams. (see video below.)

“The Universal Studio Tour has always been a groundbreaking attraction with lots of thrills, excitement and scary moments," Roker said. "I’m honored to be part of an experience for adults and children to learn about these best-in-class electric trams that will transport them around this iconic studio lot and help the environment.”

Full conversion of the 21 trams will not only help reduce carbon emissions, but also will improve the guest experience by reducing noise associated with the diesel-hydraulic engines, officials said.

For more information on Comcast NBCUniversal’s environmental efforts, visit this page.

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