AVALON, N.J. (CBS) -  One South Jersey shore town is driving into the future, full speed ahead!

Visitors and residents can now recharge their electric cars using a new charging station in the Borough of Avalon, as the town looks to become more eco-friendly.

Today, the Jersey shore’s first municipal public charging station was unveiled in front of the Avalon Public Safety Building, on Dune Drive.

Borough Council president Nancy Hudanich says the green initiative is no longer an option but a necessity.

“We have to reduce out carbon footprint,” she told KYW Newsradio.  “At the same time we have to cut our dependence on foreign oil.  And electric cars are not a wave of the future — they are here today.”

U-Go Stations, of Philadelphia, installed the electric charging station at no cost to Avalon taxpayers.  David Soens, the company’s managing partner, says the charging station will allow owners and operators of electric-powered vehicles to recharge in a safe, efficient manner.

Reported by Veronica Dudo, KYW Newsradio 1060