Intelligent Octopus Go is Octopus Energy’s flagship smart EV tariff for households with an electric vehicle. It pairs a cheap off-peak rate with automated smart charging, where Octopus schedules when your car charges. This page explains how it works, what you need to qualify, who it actually suits, and how to find your current Intelligent Octopus Go tariff rates.
Intelligent Octopus Go tariff rates
Intelligent Octopus Go tariff rates vary by region, so select your area below to see the rates available to you.
What is Intelligent Octopus Go?
Intelligent Octopus Go is a smart EV tariff that combines a cheaper overnight electricity rate with automated car charging. The off-peak rate applies to all electricity used across your home during the guaranteed six-hour overnight window (between 11:30pm and 05:30am), not just the energy used to charge your vehicle.
You connect a compatible car or charger to the Octopus app and choose when you need your vehicle ready. Octopus then schedules the charging automatically, usually when demand on the grid is lower.
Octopus may also schedule smart charging outside the overnight window. When it does, your EV charging receives the cheaper rate during that additional slot. Depending on the current tariff terms, other household electricity used at the same time may also benefit.
If your car or charger is not compatible, Octopus Go may be a suitable alternative. It provides a fixed five-hour off-peak period without automated smart charging.
How does Intelligent Octopus Go work?
Intelligent Octopus Go provides cheaper electricity in two ways: a fixed overnight window for your whole home and smart charging scheduled specifically for your electric vehicle.
The whole-home off-peak window (between 11:30pm and 05:30am)
Every day, electricity used across your home between 11:30pm and 5:30am is charged at the off-peak rate. This includes appliances, hot water, a home battery and your EV, provided any EV charging remains within the tariff’s discounted charging allowance.
Moving flexible household use (like a dishwasher or washing machine) into this six-hour window can increase the overall value of the tariff, rather than limiting the saving to car charging alone.
Smart-scheduled EV charging
Connect a compatible car or charger to the Octopus app, choose how much charge you need and set the time by which your vehicle should be ready. Octopus then creates a charging schedule based on factors such as grid demand and the availability of lower-carbon electricity.
Smart charging does not always take place entirely within the standard overnight window. Octopus may schedule some charging at other times of the day, and if they do, all of your electricity usage will be charged at the cheaper off-peak rate.
The six-hour smart-charging limit (June update)
Intelligent Octopus Go now has a maximum of six hours of discounted smart EV charging within each 24-hour period. Once those six hours have been used, any additional EV charging is billed at the peak rate, even if it takes place between 11:30pm and 5:30am.
This limit only applies to the vehicle charging. The rest of your home continues to receive the off-peak household rate throughout the guaranteed overnight window.
Octopus’s Charge Cap feature lets you choose what happens when the six-hour allowance is reached. With Charge Cap enabled, charging stops after the discounted six hours, even if the vehicle has not reached its target. With it disabled, charging can continue until the target is met, but the additional charging is billed at the peak rate.
Daytime electricity and Boost charging
Electricity used outside the whole-home off-peak window is normally billed at the peak rate unless it forms part of an eligible smart-charging schedule.
If you use Boost to start charging immediately rather than allowing Octopus to follow the smart schedule, that EV charging is billed at the peak rate. The same applies to smart charging that continues after the six-hour discounted allowance has been used.
The trade-off is therefore straightforward: Intelligent Octopus Go offers a very low rate for overnight household use and controlled EV charging, but its peak rate can be higher than the rate available on some conventional tariffs.
Intelligent Octopus Go vs Octopus Go
Intelligent Octopus Go and Octopus Go both provide cheaper overnight electricity for EV charging, but they work differently.
Intelligent Octopus Go controls charging automatically and requires a compatible car or charger, while Octopus Go provides a simpler fixed off-peak window that works with any EV and charger.
| Feature | Intelligent Octopus Go | Octopus Go |
|---|---|---|
| Off-peak window | 11:30pm to 5:30am for the whole home | 12:30am to 5:30am for the whole home |
| Guaranteed off-peak period | 6 hours each night | 5 hours each night |
| Additional cheap EV charging | Up to 6 hours of Octopus-controlled smart charging within each 24-hour period | No additional smart-charging slots |
| Automated charging | Yes. Octopus schedules charging based on when you need the car ready | No. You schedule charging yourself |
| Compatibility | Requires a compatible EV or smart charger | Works with any EV and charger |
| Off-peak rate | Usually lower, but varies by region and tariff version | Usually slightly higher, but varies by region and tariff version |
| Standard rate | Applies outside the overnight window and eligible smart-charging slots | Applies outside the fixed overnight window |
| Best suited to | Drivers with compatible equipment who want automated charging and the lowest available EV rate | Drivers with incompatible equipment or those who prefer a simple, fixed charging window |
For most eligible drivers, Intelligent Octopus Go is likely to offer the better overall package because it has a longer guaranteed overnight window, automated scheduling and additional discounted smart-charging slots. Octopus Go remains a useful alternative if your car or charger is not compatible, or if you prefer to control charging yourself.
Who is Intelligent Octopus Go best for?
Intelligent Octopus Go is best for EV households with a compatible car or charger that regular charge their EV at home.
It may work particularly well for:
- EV owners who want Octopus to schedule charging automatically rather than managing it themselves
- Households able to run flexible appliances, heat water or charge a home battery between 11:30pm and 5:30am
- Solar households that want to top up a home battery cheaply overnight when solar generation is low
- Heat pump households that can move some heating or hot-water demand into the off-peak window
- Drivers who regularly need overnight charging and are likely to use the full benefit of the cheaper EV rate
The more electricity you can shift into the guaranteed overnight window, the greater the potential value of the tariff. Households that use most of their electricity during the day may save less overall, even if their EV charging is cheap.
Who should avoid Intelligent Octopus Go?
Intelligent Octopus Go is unlikely to suit households that:
- Do not have a compatible EV or charger and do not want to change their equipment
- Charge mainly at work, away from home or during the day, so would make limited use of the cheaper overnight rate
- Have high, inflexible daytime electricity use that could outweigh the savings made from off-peak charging
- Prefer to control their own charging rather than allow Octopus to schedule it automatically
- Would be better suited to the simpler fixed charging window offered by Octopus Go
- Can get a better overall deal from another EV tariff based on their vehicle, charger, usage pattern or regional rates
Do not choose the tariff based on the headline off-peak rate alone. Compare the standard daytime rate, how much electricity your household uses outside the cheap window and how often you actually charge at home.
Eligibility
To be eligible for Intelligent Octopus Go, you will need:
- To be an Octopus Energy electricity customer, or switch to Octopus first
- A compatible smart meter that Octopus can communicate with and use for half-hourly billing
- The Octopus Energy app
- A home charging setup
- Either a compatible electric vehicle or a compatible smart charger
You do not need both the car and charger to be compatible. Octopus must be able to connect to and control at least one of them through the app.
Compatible EV chargers
Popular chargers supported by Intelligent Octopus Go include:
- Andersen A3 and Quartz
- Hypervolt Home 3 Pro
- Indra Smart PRO
- Myenergi Zappi
- Ohme Home Pro and ePod
- Octopus Charge
- Sync Energy
- Selected Wallbox and VCHRGD models
If your vehicle is not directly compatible, using a supported smart charger will allow you to join.
Compatible electric vehicles
Intelligent Octopus Go works with hundreds of eligible cars from manufacturers including:
- Audi
- BMW and MINI
- Cupra
- Ford
- Hyundai
- Jaguar
- Kia
- Nissan
- Porsche
- Renault
- SEAT
- Škoda
- Tesla
- Volkswagen
- Volvo
Compatibility can vary between models, model years and software versions.
If neither your car nor charger is compatible, Octopus Go is likely to be the closest alternative. It works with any EV and charger, but uses a fixed five-hour off-peak window rather than automated smart charging.
How to switch to Intelligent Octopus Go
If you’re already with Octopus
You can usually switch to Intelligent Octopus Go through your online account or the Octopus app once your smart meter is communicating correctly and sending half-hourly readings.
After switching tariff, open the Octopus app and add your compatible vehicle or smart charger as a device. Follow the setup steps to connect it to Octopus, then complete the required test charge so smart charging can be activated.
If Intelligent Octopus Go does not appear as an available option, or your device will not connect, you will need to contact Octopus directly.
If you’re switching to Octopus
New customers are normally moved onto Flexible Octopus first while the supply transfer and smart meter setup are completed. Once your account is active and your meter is sending half-hourly readings correctly, you can switch to Intelligent Octopus Go.
You can then add your compatible car or charger through the Octopus app, complete the connection process and carry out the test charge.
Find out more about switching to Octopus Energy and receiving £50 credit.
Intelligent Octopus Go FAQs
Do I need an electric car for Intelligent Octopus Go?
Yes. Intelligent Octopus Go is designed for households that charge an electric vehicle at home. Octopus must be able to connect to and control either a compatible EV or a compatible smart charger through its app.
If you do not have an EV, another Octopus tariff is likely to be more suitable for your household.
Which cars and chargers are compatible with Intelligent Octopus Go?
Intelligent Octopus Go supports a wide range of electric vehicles and smart chargers, but compatibility varies by manufacturer, model and software version.
Common compatible charger brands include Ohme, myenergi, Hypervolt, Indra, Andersen, Wallbox and VCHRGD. Compatible cars include selected models from manufacturers such as Audi, BMW, MINI, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Renault, Tesla, Volkswagen and Volvo.
Always check your exact vehicle or charger using Octopus’s compatibility checker before switching or buying new equipment.
Can I join Intelligent Octopus Go before switching to Octopus?
No. You need an Octopus electricity account before Intelligent Octopus Go can be activated.
New customers are normally moved onto another Octopus tariff while the supply transfer and smart-meter setup are completed. Once the account is active and the meter is sending half-hourly readings, you can switch to Intelligent Octopus Go and add your compatible car or charger through the Octopus app.
What are the off-peak hours on Intelligent Octopus Go?
The guaranteed whole-home off-peak period runs from 11:30pm to 5:30am every day.
Octopus may also schedule eligible EV charging outside this window. Up to six hours of Octopus-controlled smart charging within each 24-hour period can receive the discounted EV rate, including scheduled slots that fall outside the overnight window.
Does the whole home receive the cheap overnight rate?
Yes. Electricity used throughout your home between 11:30pm and 5:30am is charged at the off-peak household rate.
This means you can also use the cheaper period for appliances, hot-water heating and charging a home battery, rather than limiting the benefit to your car.
Can I charge two electric cars on Intelligent Octopus Go?
Intelligent Octopus Go is generally set up around one connected vehicle or charger integration per account.
A second EV can still be charged during the guaranteed 11:30pm to 5:30am household off-peak window, but it may not receive its own separate smart-charging schedule. Check with Octopus before joining if you need automated charging for more than one vehicle.
What is the six-hour smart-charging limit?
Intelligent Octopus Go includes up to six hours of discounted smart EV charging in each 24-hour period.
Once that allowance has been used, further EV charging is billed at the standard rate, even if the additional charging takes place during the overnight window. This does not affect other household electricity, which continues to receive the off-peak rate between 11:30pm and 5:30am.
The Charge Cap setting lets you choose whether charging should stop once the six discounted hours have been used or continue at the standard rate until your target is reached.
Is Intelligent Octopus Go better than Octopus Go?
Intelligent Octopus Go is likely to be better for drivers with a compatible vehicle or charger who want automated charging and a longer guaranteed off-peak period.
Octopus Go provides a simpler fixed five-hour overnight window and works with any EV and charger. It may therefore be the better option if your equipment is not compatible or you prefer to schedule charging yourself.
Are there exit fees on Intelligent Octopus Go?
Current Intelligent Octopus Go tariff versions may be available without exit fees, but the tariff structure and terms can change.
Check the specific tariff information provided with your quote before joining, including the contract length, rates and any applicable exit fee.
Does Intelligent Octopus Go work with solar panels?
Yes. Intelligent Octopus Go can work well in a home with solar panels and battery storage. The overnight off-peak period can be used to charge a battery cheaply when solar generation is low, reducing the amount of higher-priced daytime electricity you need to import.
It can also be paired with selected Octopus export tariffs, including Outgoing Octopus and Agile Outgoing, so you can receive payment for eligible surplus electricity exported to the grid.