Would you replace a 1960s panel before adding an EV charger?

I wouldn’t treat age by itself as a diagnosis. Ask an electrician to identify the panel, check its condition and available spaces, and do a load calculation for the house and the charger. A panel can be in decent shape but still lack the capacity or room for the new circuit.

Also ask what charging rate you actually need. A smaller circuit may work for some driving patterns, so a large charger circuit isn’t automatically the only option.

Get another independent quote before agreeing to a major replacement. Ask each electrician what specific issue they found and to put the reason in writing. “It’s old” doesn’t tell you whether the concern is damage, a known problem with that panel, lack of breaker spaces, or the home’s electrical capacity.

There’s a difference between replacing a panel because it’s old and replacing it because an inspection found a safety problem. Look for a clear explanation of any corrosion, heat damage, unsuitable or recalled equipment, or other defect. If the panel cover or deadfront is missing, have that addressed promptly rather than treating it as a cosmetic issue.

If there’s aluminum wiring in the house, have that checked too, but don’t assume it’s present just because the home is from that era.