Taking a leap into the future, South Whitehall commissioners listened to representatives of Tesla Motors propose installing eight electric vehicle charging stations at Tilghman Square shopping center, 4650 Broadway.

Jesse Karp and Max DeZegher traveled from New York City to the Aug. 5 commissioners' meeting to explain their proposal.

Tesla Motors, headquartered in California, is on the Aug. 26 zoning hearing board agenda.

The company is seeking a favorable interpretation that electric car chargers are not an establishment of a new distinct accessory use but the operation would be an acceptable use of off-street parking space.

Karp reported Tesla has more than 200 electric car charging stations in North America but only one in Pennsylvania, in Somerset.

"South Whitehall is one of our options," Karp said. "We are still looking at others. The owners of Tilghman Square are open to the idea."

DeZegher said interested in electric cars is considerable.

"We're the most Googled automobile company in the world right now," DeZegher said.

Commissioner Glenn Block commented on the plan.

"Conceptually it is a great idea," Block said. "This is what the future of automobiles is going to be."

He said the zoning hearing board will need to make the determination on the matter.

Tesla officials want to have an electric car on exhibit during the zoning hearing board meeting.