According to industry leaders, the partnership could lead to more electric cars on ACT roads, more solar panels on roofs, and better education and training opportunities.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr met with the company during a trade mission meeting in California and said the territory had proven its renewable energy and reform credentials.

In a letter to Tesla management, Mr Barr called on the company to test its new wall-mounted battery packs in Canberra homes.

Tesla Motors' Powerwall batteries – available in Australian homes next year – will utilise technology from Canberra start-up Reposit Power that allows solar panel owners to sell power back to the grid.

"I understand Reposit Power's technology is unique and is an example of the innovative environment in Canberra," Mr Barr said to Tesla management.

The proposal has been supported by industry and research leaders in Canberra and was well received Tesla Motors, according to a government spokesman.

Professor Ken Baldwin, director of the Australian National University's Energy Change Institute, said the bid was realistic given Tesla's demonstrated interest in Australia.

"Tesla have already announced their program for providing recharging stations in Australia between Sydney and Melbourne for electric cars," he said.

"It would not be surprising if they were also keen to move into the battery storage market in Australia, which would augment the installation of solar power on residential rooftops."

Dr Evan Franklin, a research fellow at the ANU's College of Engineering, said a research partnership with Tesla could increase the number of electric cars on Canberra roads.

"This could clearly put Tesla in Canberra as far as charging points go and would presumably open the market for their cars to be sold in Canberra," he said.

"You can buy a Tesla from a showroom in Sydney now although you would have to have your own charging point."

Tesla already has two recharge connectors for vehicles at Hotel Realm in Barton with others available at the Park Hyatt in Sydney and parking complexes in Melbourne.

A Hotel Realm spokeswoman said the charger was used by six electric cars a month and was installed after prompting from a regular guest.

"We receive a lot of calls from interstate travellers wanting to use the charging station on their journey to their next destination," she said.

The government's bid has been welcomed by Reposit Power chief executive Luke Osborne who said the company was likely to think seriously about the opportunity.

"It would be wonderful for Canberra as we are increasingly becoming the renewable energy capital of the country and we would welcome their arrival," he said.

Professor Baldwin said a Tesla presence in Canberra could also strengthen education outcomes at universities and encourage entrepreneurship.

"The ACT government would welcome a major company associated with the renewable energy industry and if it were committed to investing in local education and research, that would be icing on the cake," he said.

"There may well be synergies that can be developed with companies that have similar interests and that would help Tesla roll out their systems,"

Mr Barr told Tesla representatives they should be encouraged by the ACT's regulation of the ride sharing company Uber, with Canberra the first capital city to regulate the service.

He told the company Canberra had a unique location advantage for the renewable energy industry and was committed to cutting greenhouse emissions by 40 percent by 2020.

"Our region also includes a world-class expertise in renewable energy and energy storage technology research and development, across both public and private organisations," he said.

"Employment in the ACT renewable energy sector grew over 400 percent during the last five years."