PGE Will Pay Up to $1,000 Toward Your Panel Upgrade When You Install an EV Charger (2026 Portland & Beaverton Guide)
Short answer: If you're a Portland General Electric (PGE) customer and your home's panel or electrical service is under 200 amps and doesn't have room for a Level 2 EV charger, PGE's Smart Charging program lists an Electrical Service Upgrade Rebate of up to $1,000 (up to $5,000 if you're income-eligible). That's on top of a charger rebate of up to $300 (up to $1,000 if income-eligible). The panel rebate isn't a standalone rebate. You have to pair it with the charger rebate and enroll in Smart Charging.
Before you go any further: you are responsible for researching and confirming your own eligibility on PGE's Smart Charging page. Nexus Electrical Group does not apply for, process, or guarantee rebates. Amounts and rules can change, and PGE says the money is available only until funding runs out.
We're a licensed electrical contractor in Beaverton (CCB #226988), and we get a lot of questions about this rebate from homeowners around Portland. Here's what PGE's program terms say, as of October 2026, and what part we play.
What does PGE's Smart Charging program pay for?
According to PGE's 2026 program terms, there are two rebates for homeowners:
Charger Installation Rebate: up to $300 for a qualifying Level 2 charger, or up to $1,000 if you're income-eligible.
Electrical Service Upgrade Rebate: up to $1,000 toward upgrading your electrical service and main panel, or up to $5,000 if you're income-eligible.
PGE also says rebate payments are capped at what you actually paid, and there's a limit of two rebates per customer. Once you're enrolled, the program shifts your charging away from high-demand times, and PGE offers ongoing bill credits for taking part.
Who qualifies for PGE's panel upgrade rebate?
Based on PGE's published terms, all of these have to be true:
You're the residential PGE account holder (or co-applicant).
You own or lease an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid.
You enroll in PGE's Smart Charging program and apply for the charger rebate. The panel rebate can't be claimed by itself.
Your existing main panel doesn't have enough amperage to add a Level 2 charger.
Your existing electrical service or main panel is less than 200 amps.
The charger is hardwired, not plugged into an outlet.
If you're on Pacific Power instead of PGE, see the section on Pacific Power below.
Please read: Only PGE decides who qualifies. Check the current rules on PGE's website before you schedule any work. Nexus Electrical Group does not apply for, process, or guarantee any rebate, and funding is limited.
What does the panel upgrade have to include?
This is where the details matter. PGE's terms say the work must be done by a licensed electrician and must bring your home up to at least 200 amps:
If both your service and your panel are under 200 amps: the service has to be upgraded to 200 amps or more, and the main breaker and panel replaced with one that supports it.
If only the service is under 200 amps: the service has to be upgraded to 200 amps or more.
If only the panel is under 200 amps: the main breaker and panel have to be replaced with one rated 200 amps or more.
The new panel needs a minimum of 30 slots and 40 circuits (or equivalent or better). Subpanels don't qualify. PGE also requires detailed receipts for the electrical work that include the electrician's license number.
Not sure where your home stands? Our post on whether you need a panel upgrade before installing an EV charger explains how to read your main breaker. A lot of older Portland and Beaverton homes still have 60- or 100-amp service.
When does the work have to happen?
PGE's timing rules, from its program terms:
The panel or service upgrade has to be completed within 12 months before the charger is installed.
The upgrade has to be on or after November 16, 2022.
The rebate is available until PGE's funding for it runs out.
In practice, if you're planning both projects, it makes sense to plan them together so the timing lines up. Confirm the dates with PGE before you start.
Ready to find out if your panel can handle a charger?
Call Nexus Electrical Group at (971) 410-7073 or book an appointment online. Before you call, request your $300-off coupon at nexuselectricalgroup.com/coupon. We'll email it to you within 2 to 3 days, and it's good for 90 days.
What does Nexus Electrical Group do, and what don't we do?
We do the licensed electrical work:
A load calculation to see whether your current panel can take a Level 2 charger or needs an upgrade
The electrical permit
A 200-amp-or-larger panel and service upgrade, when your home needs one
A hardwired Level 2 EV charger installation
An itemized invoice that includes our license number, CCB #226988, which PGE's program requires
What we don't do: we don't apply for rebates, submit paperwork to PGE, or promise that you'll qualify or get paid. The rebate application is between you and PGE. We'll give you a clear, itemized invoice so you have what you need to apply yourself.
For more on the work itself, see our EV charger installation and electrical panel upgrade pages. If you'd rather manage your load than replace your panel, we also install SPAN smart panels. Keep in mind that whether a given option fits PGE's panel requirements is up to PGE.
How much will it cost after the rebate?
That depends on your panel, your service, and how far the charger is from the panel. We cover what drives those prices in our 2026 cost guide for EV chargers and panel upgrades in Portland and Beaverton. The only reliable way to get your number is to have someone look at your actual panel.
I'm on Pacific Power. Is there a rebate for me?
Pacific Power has a separate program for income-qualified residential customers in Oregon. According to Pacific Power's Oregon home charger rebate page:
Up to $1,500 for a hardwired Level 2 charger, or up to $500 for a 240-volt outlet used for EV charging
Equipment must be bought on or after January 1, 2026
It has to be installed by a licensed electrician
You apply within one year of purchase
Customers who already got a Pacific Power EV charger incentive aren't eligible
Pacific Power sets the income limits and makes the decisions. Check its page for the current requirements.
Is the federal EV charger tax credit still available?
Not for new installs. According to the IRS, the federal Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit (Section 30C) only applies to chargers placed in service at a main home through June 30, 2026. A charger installed after that date doesn't qualify. If yours was installed earlier, talk to your tax advisor.
Frequently asked questions
Does PGE pay for a panel upgrade for an EV charger?
PGE's Smart Charging program lists an Electrical Service Upgrade Rebate of up to $1,000, or up to $5,000 if you're income-eligible, when your panel or service is under 200 amps and can't handle a Level 2 charger. You have to confirm your eligibility on PGE's website. Nexus Electrical Group does not apply for, process, or guarantee rebates.
Can I get the panel rebate without installing an EV charger?
No. PGE says it isn't a standalone rebate. You have to pair it with the charger installation rebate and enroll in Smart Charging.
I have a 100-amp panel. Do I qualify?
Possibly, if the panel doesn't have enough capacity for a Level 2 charger and the upgrade meets PGE's requirements (200 amps or more, at least 30 slots and 40 circuits, done by a licensed electrician). PGE makes the final call, so check its current rules.
Does a subpanel qualify for the rebate?
No. PGE's terms say subpanels don't qualify.
Does the charger have to be hardwired?
Yes, for the panel upgrade rebate. PGE requires the charger to be hardwired.
Will Nexus Electrical Group apply for the rebate for me?
No. We don't apply for, process, or guarantee rebates. We do the licensed work and give you an itemized invoice with our license number, CCB #226988, which you can use when you apply with PGE.
Can I use the $300 Nexus coupon too?
Our $300-off coupon is our own discount, separate from any utility program. Request it at nexuselectricalgroup.com/coupon. It's emailed within 2 to 3 days and good for 90 days. Whether PGE counts it when figuring your rebate is up to PGE, since rebates are capped at what you actually paid.
Is there still a federal tax credit for home EV chargers?
The IRS says the Section 30C credit only covers chargers placed in service through June 30, 2026. Chargers installed after that don't qualify.
Do I need a permit for a panel upgrade or EV charger in Portland or Beaverton?
Yes, this kind of work generally needs an electrical permit. We pull the permit as part of the job.
Book your appointment
If you're thinking about an EV charger and you're not sure your panel can handle it, start with a load calculation. Call Nexus Electrical Group at (971) 410-7073 or book your appointment online, and mention your $300-off coupon from nexuselectricalgroup.com/coupon (emailed within 2 to 3 days, valid for 90 days).
One last reminder: please research and confirm your eligibility on PGE's website before you start. Nexus Electrical Group does not apply for, process, or guarantee rebates, and PGE's amounts, rules, and funding can change.
Nexus Electrical Group, Beaverton, OR. Licensed electrical contractor, CCB #226988. Rebate details checked against PGE, Pacific Power, and IRS sources in October 2026.