Wodonga Council is hopeful the chargers will result in an economic jolt for the city too, with the units on the Havelock Street side of the car park near council’s offices and The Cube ideally located for local businesses.

The city’s CEO Patience Harrington expects there to be a flow-on effect to nearby central traders, including The Cube’s cafe, as motorists wait for their Teslas to charge.

The process takes anywhere from 20 to 75 minutes, enough time for a quick coffee or to take a stroll down Wodonga’s main street and spend some money.

With another charging station opening at Goulburn today, the option to drive between Melbourne and Sydney is now very much a reality for Tesla drivers. 

Tesla Australia marketing and communications manager Heath Walker has previously said that the company did not plan to reveal sales numbers of the electric car in Australia. But it has been reported that the company had record sales of 10,000 in the first quarter of this year.

On Wednesday, Mr Walker was talking up the prospect of Tesla drivers dropping in on Wodonga, saying the fact that the chargers were now in place and free to use would generate a resurgence of the road trip.

He says it is a move that will introduce more people to country towns like Wodonga, and Goulburn.

Council and local businesses will hope so, and it should be something that is very easily gauged by assessing just how many Tesla drivers drop in for a charge.

Motor trader Martin Baker says he is disappointed that only one electric car brand is being supported, and it is one that is not sold locally. Indeed, Tesla is the company paying to have its chargers in that space, and the market it is seeking to serve is not a local one. 

As far as Wodonga is concerned, Ms Harrington said her city would welcome other charging stations and Tesla has no exclusive arrangement in place.

One thing is certain – more charging options would just broaden the appeal of Albury-Wodonga to those who have embraced the electric form of car.