Octopus Go is Octopus Energy’s simpler EV tariff for households that charge an electric vehicle at home. It gives you a fixed cheaper off-peak window overnight, without the automated smart charging used by Intelligent Octopus Go. This page explains how Octopus Go works, who can join, who it suits and how to find the latest Octopus Go tariff rates.
Octopus Go tariff rates
What is Octopus Go?
Octopus Go is a time-of-use electricity tariff for households that charge an electric vehicle at home. It gives you a fixed five-hour off-peak window every night from 12:30am to 5:30am, when all electricity used in the home is charged at the cheaper rate.
Outside that window, electricity is charged at the standard Go day rate, which is higher than the off-peak rate. The idea is simple: schedule your EV charging, appliances or battery charging overnight, and avoid using too much electricity during the more expensive daytime period.
Unlike Intelligent Octopus Go, Octopus Go does not use automated smart charging. You do not need a compatible car or charger, and Octopus does not control when your vehicle charges. You simply set your own charging schedule and use the fixed overnight window.
How does Octopus Go work?
Octopus Go works around one fixed off-peak period each night. There is no automated smart scheduling and no changing half-hourly price pattern to follow.
The fixed off-peak window
From 12:30am to 5:30am every day, all electricity used in your home is billed at the off-peak rate. This includes EV charging, appliances, hot-water heating and home battery charging.
The window is fixed, so the main task is to move as much flexible electricity use as possible into those five cheaper hours.
You control the charging schedule
Octopus does not control when your car charges on Octopus Go. You set the schedule yourself through your car, charger app or charger timer.
For many drivers, this means setting the car or charger to charge between 12:30am and 5:30am. Some vehicles and chargers also allow you to set a target charge level or a ready-by time.
Day rates apply outside the off-peak window
Electricity used outside the 12:30am to 5:30am window is billed at the standard Go day rate. This is the trade-off with the tariff: you get a much cheaper overnight rate, but need to be mindful of how much electricity you use during the rest of the day.
Unlike Intelligent Octopus Go, there are no extra smart-charging slots outside the fixed window. If your car continues charging after 5:30am, the extra electricity is billed at the day rate.
For most drivers using a 7kW home charger for regular top-ups, five hours overnight will be enough for a useful amount of charge. Drivers who often need large overnight top-ups may find Intelligent Octopus Go more suitable, if their car or charger is compatible.
Octopus Go vs Intelligent Octopus Go
Octopus Go and Intelligent Octopus Go are both EV tariffs from Octopus, but they suit slightly different households.
Octopus Go gives you a fixed five-hour off-peak window from 12:30am to 5:30am. It works with any EV and any charger, because Octopus does not need to control your charging. You set the schedule yourself and use the cheaper overnight window.
Intelligent Octopus Go gives you a longer six-hour off-peak window from 11:30pm to 5:30am, plus eligible smart-scheduled EV charging outside that window. It usually offers a lower headline off-peak rate, but you need a compatible EV or smart charger and Octopus controls the charging schedule through the app.
For most eligible drivers, Intelligent Octopus Go is likely to be the stronger tariff because it offers a longer cheap window, automated charging and a lower off-peak rate. Octopus Go is better if your car or charger is not compatible, or if you prefer a simple fixed window that you control yourself.
A quick way to decide is this: if your car or charger passes the Intelligent Octopus Go compatibility check and you are happy for Octopus to schedule charging, Intelligent Go is usually worth considering first. If not, Octopus Go is the simpler alternative.
Who is Octopus Go best for?
Octopus Go is most likely to suit EV households that want a simple, fixed overnight charging window without automated smart scheduling.
It may work particularly well for:
- EV owners whose car or charger is not compatible with Intelligent Octopus Go
- Drivers who prefer a predictable 12:30am to 5:30am off-peak window that they control themselves
- Households that can plug in overnight and use their car or charger timer to stay within the cheaper period
- Homes with solar panels and a battery that want a cheaper overnight slot to top up when solar generation is low
- Households able to run flexible appliances, hot-water heating or battery charging overnight
The main appeal is simplicity. You do not need a compatible car or charger, and you do not need Octopus to control your charging. You just need to move enough electricity use into the fixed overnight window to make the cheaper rate worthwhile.
Who should avoid Octopus Go?
Octopus Go is unlikely to suit households that:
- Charge mainly during the day, at work or away from home, so would make limited use of the cheaper overnight rate
- Have high, inflexible daytime electricity use that could outweigh the savings made during the off-peak window
- Regularly need more than five hours of overnight charging, especially with a large-battery EV or slower home charging setup
- Have a car or charger that is compatible with Intelligent Octopus Go and are happy for Octopus to manage smart charging
- Want to actively respond to half-hourly prices, negative pricing events or changing wholesale electricity rates
If your car or charger is compatible, Intelligent Octopus Go is usually worth considering first because it offers a longer guaranteed cheap window and automated smart charging. If you want to chase cheaper half-hourly prices rather than use a fixed overnight window, Octopus Agile may be a better fit.
Eligibility
To be eligible for 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
- An electric vehicle that you charge at home
Unlike Intelligent Octopus Go, there is no compatible car or charger list. Octopus Go works with any EV and any home charging setup, because you control the charging schedule yourself.
That could be a smart charger, your car’s own charging timer or a standard three-pin plug. In practice, most households will find a dedicated home charger more convenient, especially if they regularly need to charge within the five-hour off-peak window.
How to switch to Octopus Go
If you’re already with Octopus
You can switch to Octopus Go through your online account or the Octopus app once your smart meter is communicating correctly and sending half-hourly readings.
Because Octopus Go does not use automated smart charging, you do not need to add a compatible car or charger through the app. Once the tariff is active, you simply set your EV or charger to charge during the fixed off-peak window.
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 Octopus Go.
You can then set your car or charger schedule to use the 12:30am to 5:30am off-peak window.
Find out more about switching to Octopus Energy and receiving £50 credit.
Octopus Go FAQs
Do I need an electric car for Octopus Go?
Yes. Octopus Go is designed for households that charge an electric vehicle at home. Without an EV, another Octopus tariff is likely to be more suitable, depending on how and when your household uses electricity.
Does Octopus Go work with any EV and charger?
Yes. Unlike Intelligent Octopus Go, Octopus Go does not have a compatible car or charger list. It works with any EV and any home charging setup because you control the charging schedule yourself.
You can use a smart charger, your car’s built-in charging timer or a standard three-pin plug. In practice, a dedicated home charger will usually be more convenient if you regularly need to charge within the five-hour off-peak window.
What are the off-peak hours on Octopus Go?
The off-peak window runs from 12:30am to 5:30am every day.
During this five-hour period, electricity used across your home is charged at the off-peak rate.
Does the whole home get the cheap rate, or just the car?
The whole home gets the cheaper rate during the off-peak window. Anything you run between 12:30am and 5:30am is charged at the Octopus Go off-peak rate, not just EV charging.
This can include appliances, hot-water heating and charging a home battery.
Can I charge two electric cars on Octopus Go?
Yes. Octopus Go does not use automated smart scheduling, so there is no single nominated vehicle in the same way as Intelligent Octopus Go.
Both cars can benefit from the off-peak rate if they are charged between 12:30am and 5:30am. The practical limit is your charger setup, your home’s electrical capacity and how much charge each car needs overnight.
Do I need a smart charger for Octopus Go?
No. You do not need a smart charger to use Octopus Go.
You just need a way to charge during the off-peak window. Many EVs have built-in charging schedules, and many chargers also have their own timers or apps.
Is Octopus Go cheaper than Intelligent Octopus Go?
Usually, Intelligent Octopus Go offers the stronger rates and longer cheap window if your car or charger is compatible. It also includes automated smart charging.
Octopus Go is simpler and works with any EV and charger. It may be the better option if your equipment is not compatible with Intelligent Octopus Go, or if you prefer to control charging yourself.
Can I switch from Octopus Go to Intelligent Octopus Go later?
Yes. If your car or charger becomes compatible, or you upgrade your charging setup, you can switch from Octopus Go to Intelligent Octopus Go.
You will need to connect the compatible car or charger through the Octopus app and complete the setup process before smart charging is activated.
Are there exit fees on Octopus Go?
Exit fees depend on the specific tariff version you sign up to, so check your quote and tariff terms before switching.
If there are no exit fees on your version of Octopus Go, you can move away later without paying a penalty. If an exit fee applies, it should be shown clearly before you agree to the tariff.
Does Octopus Go work with solar panels?
Yes. Octopus Go can work well with solar panels, especially if you also have a home battery. The fixed overnight window can be used to top up the battery cheaply when solar generation is low.
You can also pair Octopus Go with a compatible Octopus export tariff, such as Outgoing Octopus or Agile Outgoing, so you are paid for eligible surplus electricity sent back to the grid.