Yosemite Celebrates Arrival of Hybrid Tractors
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in Yosemite Valley today to commemorate the arrival of four hybrid electric/diesel tractors that will be used in the popular Yosemite Valley Floor Tours.
The state of the art tractors cost $150,000 each and pull trailers for the two-hour tour narrated by a National Park Ranger. The new tractors replace propane powered vehicles used to pull the trailers. Approximately 70,000 visitors take the Yosemite Valley Floor Tour each year.
“We are very proud of these new vehicles and take great pride in leading by example. Going green is incredibly important to the park,” said Acting Superintendent Dave Uberuaga.
The new tractors will reduce emissions by 85% and get 800% better fuel economy than the previous vehicles. They complement Yosemite’s fleet of 16 hybrid shuttle buses.