The first part of Elon Musk's deal with the South Australian government to build the world's biggest battery to store renewable energy is in motion with eight car charging pods set up in central Adelaide.
The billionaire's electric car company Tesla has committed to building 50 charging stations across the state.
The initiative takes Adelaide a step closer to being a carbon neutral city, Premier Jay Weatherill says.
"And we know that in the future, electric vehicles will be the preferred mode of transport," he said.
The development comes ahead of Mr Musk's presentation to the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide on Friday, when he will reveal designs for his rocket to send humans to Mars.
His company SpaceX has been developing the "planetary coloniser" vessel, named the Big Falcon Rocket.
"This should be worth seeing. Design feels right," Mr Musk tweeted on Wednesday.
After his Mars presentation, the tech entrepreneur will travel to Jamestown for an announcement on the lithium-ion battery.
Earlier this year, Telsa won the bid to construct the battery which forms a key part of SA's $550 million energy plan.
The cost is thought to be about $50 million but Mr Musk has promised to provide it free if he can't complete construction within 100 days.
