THE WESTERN plains townships of Coonamble and Walgett are set to become new pitstops for electric vehicles (EVs) following the opening of brand new NRMA fast charging stations close to their respective town centres this week.

The new fast-charging stations are more advanced than current models - with a higher wattage allowing them to charge a vehicle up to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes, compared to between three and six hours with a standard public charger, such as the one already operating in Dubbo.

The chargers have been jointly funded by the state government and NRMA dollar-for-dollar, for a total $6 million investment.

The official opening of the charging stations occurred on Monday 22 November, attended by representatives of the respective Shire Councils, the NRMA and local EV owners who were keen to test them out.

Nationals MLC Sam Farraway was also part of the ceremony in Coonamble, joining Mayor Ahmad Karanouh in cutting the ribbon on the two new chargers in the Skillmans Lane carpark.

He said EVs were already very common in urban NSW and it was pleasing to see the regions be a part of "the future" of transport.

"Off the back of COVID, what we've learned about domestic tourism, if we want people to come and explore the Coonamble shire and they have an electric car, this is what they're going to need," Mr Farraway said.

Mr Farraway said he hoped, in time, this would result in increased visitation to rural destinations like Coonamble.

Coonamble Shire Councillor Pat Cullen, council General Manager Hein Basson and NRMA Coonamble's Tony Golsby check out the inner workings of an electric car while NRMA's James Simmons talks them through it.

Further north, the Walgett township also officially opened their new charging station on Monday afternoon, with one charger being set up in Neilly Street and the ribbon cut by council General Manager Michael Urquhart and Mayor Ian Woodcock.

The two new fast charging stations in Coonamble and one in Walgett are among 20 being delivered across the regions, costing around $6 million joint funded by the state government and the NRMA dollar-for-dollar, expanding the regional EV charging network to a total of 60 sites after they are all installed.

Also in attendance was NRMA EV Division Manager Suzana Barbir, who said she was thrilled to be installing further NRMA chargers across the regions.

"We're making sure that no regions in NSW are being left behind, so when we get more EVs into the country, people will be able to travel out here and then charge up along the way," she said.

"We're also remembering to look after our locals who are purchasing EVs for their own purposes - they'll be able to also charge while they're in town and doing the things they need to do day-to-day."

Mayor Karanouh expressed his gratitude for Coonamble being included in the new upgrade and said they presented great opportunities for the shire.

"I know they've been used already and the people were extremely happy when they found one in town," he said.

"These people walked around the main street while their car was getting charged and spent their money there - it's a great start."

As for Walgett Shire Council Mayor Ian Woodcock, he said he hadn't seen people using them as of yet, but he appreciated the importance of having EV capabilities in the shire.

"It's set up in a carpark just behind the main shipping area, so there's plenty of room for people to park and go down the street for a coffee or something while they're waiting to use it," Mr Woodcock said.

"I think having them here will be very beneficial - in the advent of more electric cars coming into the regions, they will be looking to find somewhere to charge."

One of the people attending both openings was Tesla owner and Coonabarabran local Martin Oestreich.

Mr Oestreich, who is an electronics engineer and has experience in converting other vehicles to electric in the past, said it was good to see the EV charging network expand, although Coonamble and Walgett may take a while to see large numbers of EVs come through.

Coonabarabran EV owner Martin Oestreich gives the new chargers in Coonamble a test run.

"Don't expect suddenly there will be electric cars zooming around your town like mad because you're off major highways," he said.

"But it does open up an electric tourist route to Lightning Ridge. So at the beginning, you would probably get one a week or less than that, but it's like the egg and the hen effect - (the charger) is the hen and the eggs follow."

Mr Woodcock said there is already a Tesla charger in Lightning Ridge which was donated to the town, making the charging network even more seamless.

According to the NRMA's Regional Manager Gary Carter, a fully-charged EV can travel an average of 400km, although he said there was nothing wrong with stopping for a top-up.

"Being about road safety, the NRMA is not opposed to people stopping and having a break while they charge their vehicles because fatigue is an issue out here."

At this stage, the chargers will be free to use for all EV owners, although it has been indicated non NRMA members will be required to pay in the future with ample notice given beforehand.