Hybrid Tractors Arrive For Use In Pulling Tour Trailers

Last Thursday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in Yosemite Valley to mark the arrival of four hybrid electric/diesel tractors that will be used for the popular tours of the floor of Yosemite Valley.

Acting superintendent Dave Uberuaga and DNC Parks and Resorts at Yosemite, Inc. chief operating officer Dan Jensen cut the ribbon as 60 park visitors embarked on their tour of Yosemite Valley.

The state of the art tractors, purchased by DNC Parks and Resorts at Yosemite, Inc., at a cost of $150,000 each, pull trailers for the two-hour tour narrated by an NPS ranger. The tractors and engines were manufactured by the International Harvester Corporation and the hybrid drives were manufactured by the Eaton Corporation. The new vehicles replaced propane powered vehicles used to pull the trailers.

“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 Uberauga.

The new tractors will reduce emissions by 85% and get 800% better fuel economy than the previous vehicles. This addition complements Yosemite National Park’s fleet of 16 hybrid shuttle buses (also electric/diesel) that are used in Yosemite Valley and Wawona. Approximately 70,000 Yosemite National Park visitors take the tour of the floor of Yosemite Valley each year.