Electrical Panel Upgrades for EV Chargers in Bend

Some Bend homes, particularly those built before the 1990s near downtown and Old Bend, have 100-amp electrical panels that can't safely support a Level 2 EV charger. An electrician can assess your panel in about 15 minutes, and often the news is better than you'd expect.

Do You Need a Panel Upgrade?

You likely need an upgrade if: your home has 100-amp service, your panel is full with no available breaker slots, or your panel is more than 30 years old and showing signs of wear. You probably don't need one if you have a 200-amp panel with open slots.

Newer Bend neighborhoods tell a consistent story. NW Crossing homes were built with 200-amp panels as standard, and most are straightforward installs. Same with the resort communities like Tetherow, Broken Top, and Pronghorn, which were built or significantly updated relatively recently. Older homes in Old Bend and some parts of the Westside vary more. How to check your panel →

Cost of a Panel Upgrade in Bend

A standard 200-amp panel upgrade in Bend runs $2,500–$4,000 including labor, materials, permits, and inspection. Combined with EV charger installation, expect $2,800–$5,000 total for the full project. Oregon labor rates are on the higher end nationally, and electricians in Central Oregon are in high demand, so get quotes and book early.

What Happens After the Upgrade

Once your panel is upgraded to 200-amp service, the Level 2 charger installation follows, sometimes the same day, sometimes scheduled as a second visit depending on workload. What a Level 2 installation includes →

The panel upgrade cost can be included in the Pacific Power rebate calculation. The federal Section 30C tax credit expired for installs after June 30, 2026, but the Pacific Power rebate is still available. The federal credit has passed, but Bend homeowners can still get up to $500 back through Pacific Power. See what local rebates are still available.

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