Adding a Level 2 charger to an older Austin home sometimes means upgrading the electrical panel first. We run the load calculation, tell you straight whether you actually need an upgrade — or just a smarter setup — and do the work permitted to City of Austin code. Get a free assessment.
Get a free quote See install costs
- Licensed & insured Texas electricians
- Load calculation before we quote
- 100A → 200A service upgrades
- City of Austin permit & inspection
Do you actually need a panel upgrade?
Not every home does — and a good electrician won’t sell you one you don’t need. A Level 2 charger typically draws a 40–60A circuit. Whether your panel can take that comes down to two things: open breaker slots and spare capacity on your main service.
- Newer Austin homes (built in the last ~20 years) usually run 200A service with room to spare — often just a clean new circuit, no upgrade.
- Older homes in neighborhoods like Hyde Park, Travis Heights, Allandale, and Crestview may be on 100A or 125A service with a full panel — these are the ones that sometimes need an upgrade.
The load calculation comes first
Before anyone quotes you a panel upgrade, there should be a load calculation — adding up your home’s existing demand (HVAC, water heater, range, dryer) against your service size, per the National Electrical Code. It’s the difference between a real recommendation and a guess. We run it on every job where capacity is in question, so you’re never paying for an upgrade you didn’t need.
Three ways to add a charger to a tight panel
- A new circuit — if you have capacity and a free slot, this is all you need.
- A load-management device — smart hardware that lets the charger share an existing circuit and back off when the house draws heavily. Often avoids a full upgrade entirely, and it’s cheaper.
- A service / panel upgrade — typically 100A or 125A up to 200A — when the home genuinely doesn’t have headroom. This also future-proofs you for a second EV, a heat pump, or solar.
What a panel upgrade costs in Austin
A 200A service upgrade in the Austin area generally runs $1,500–$3,500 depending on the meter, the run to the utility, and whether the panel location changes. It’s a permitted job that involves Austin Energy (or Oncor/PEC) for the meter and the City of Austin for inspection. When a charger install needs it, we fold it into one quote and one permit so it’s not two separate headaches. Estimate your full install on the cost page →
Does a panel upgrade qualify for the rebate?
The Austin Energy rebate is based on the cost to buy and install the qualified Level 2 charger. The portion of work directly tied to the charger install counts toward the 50% / up-to-$1,200 rebate; a broader service upgrade you’d do anyway may not. We document the job so the rebate-eligible portion is captured. More on the rebate → [VERIFY exactly which upgrade costs Austin Energy counts toward the rebate before making firm claims.]
Get a free panel assessment
Send us your home’s age, your panel (a photo helps), and what you’re charging — we’ll tell you whether you need an upgrade and quote the whole job.
We respond fast — usually the same day.
Panel upgrade FAQ
How do I know if my panel is full?
Open the panel door and look for open breaker slots and the main breaker’s amperage (often 100, 125, or 200). No open slots, or 100A service on a larger home, are signs you may need an upgrade or load management. We’ll confirm with a load calculation.
Can I add an EV charger without upgrading my panel?
Often, yes — with a dedicated circuit if you have capacity, or a load-management device that shares an existing circuit. An upgrade is the last resort, not the default.
How long does a panel upgrade take?
Most 200A upgrades are a one-day job, plus coordination with the utility for the meter and a City of Austin inspection.