Descanso Gardens Executive Director David Brown (left) discusses the benefits of the Gardens' new electric tram with Supervisor Michael Antonovich

An environmentally friendly electric tram for transporting guests made its official debut at Descanso Gardens on Wednesday.

The new tram replaces an aging, propane-fueled internal combustion engine that was noisy and decades-old. The improved vehicle features zero emissions and it meets American with Disabilities Act requirements.

Funded by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the tram, consisting of a battery-operated tug plus three trailers, is expected to improve air quality in and around the park. It plugs into a conventional electric outlet for overnight charging.

"This tram will expose thousands of visitors to a clean, zero-emission form of transportation," said Michael Antonovich, Los Angeles County Supervisor, Fifth District, and Governing Board Member, South Coast Air Quality Management District. "Replacing the short-distance tourist trams at the park with electric vehicles is also a responsible first step in making this beautiful educational facility more environmentally friendly."

Supervisor Michael Antonovich readies to take a tour of Descanso Gardens in the new zero-emission electric tram

The total cost for the project is approximately $121,000; AQMD's cost share was $96,000 from its Clean Fuels Fund with the rest coming from a Los Angeles County grant.

Officials from Descanso Gardens say this is just the first step in the 160- acre park's long-term vision of becoming a self-sustaining natural environment with regard to water, energy, waste disposal and recycling. Groundskeepers already use electric utility carts. In the near future, the tram, which tram transports about 14,000 visitors through the county-owned park every year, will be recharged with solar photovoltaic electricity.

AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.