The town of Coupeville is paving the way for electric cars.

The Coupeville Town Council approved rules for allowing the installation of charging stations, which would benefit electric vehicles traveling through town.

Town Planner Larry Kwarsick, who leads a double life as the city of Langley’s recently elected  mayor, said the new ordinance was designed in response to legislation approved in 2009 to improve the infrastructure to encourage the use of electric vehicles.

Kwarsick noted during the meeting that China City in Oak Harbor and Freeland and Whidbey Telecom in Freeland have installed charging stations in their parking lots. The city of Oak Harbor recently installed two stations at a public parking lot on Dock Street between Pioneer Way and the transit center.

The new regulations for the town outlines the types of stations that will be allowed in residential homes and the requirements for installation in larger, public parking lots.

“When you make it easier for the public to do something, then we hope the public will take advantage of it,” Town Council member Bob Clay said during the meeting.

The regulations state that new multi-family housing projects and parking lots exceeding 20 spaces must provide charging stations for 10 percent of the parking spaces. However, someone could obtain a waiver from the charging station requirement if approved by the Town Council.

The go ahead for electric charging stations is the latest action approved by the town to encourage electric vehicles. The elected body recently approved rules allowing for electric golf carts to travel on town streets.

Coupeville Town Council members Molly Hughes, Dianne Binder, Larry Cort, Clay and Jackie Henderson unanimously approved the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure rules during the March 27 meeting.