About
Intelligent Octopus Go is a smart time-of-use EV energy tariff from Octopus Energy designed specifically for electric vehicle owners in the UK. The service leverages smart meter data and app-based automation to intelligently schedule your car's charging sessions during off-peak periods when electricity is cheapest and greenest — all without you having to lift a finger. Simply connect your EV or compatible home charger through the Octopus app, plug in your car, and set how much charge you need. The system automatically determines the optimal charging window to hit your target, always at a flat rate of 8p/kWh regardless of when the charging actually occurs. In addition to EV charging savings, subscribers receive six hours of cheap energy for the entire home each night between 11:30 pm and 5:30 am. The companion app gives users full visibility: check your upcoming charging schedule, monitor energy spend in real time, and override or adjust sessions on the fly. Compatible with a wide range of EVs and smart home chargers — including Ohme, Andersen, and Octopus Charge — the tariff requires a smart meter and is available across the UK. Since launching the UK's first EV tariff in 2018, Octopus has grown to serve over 502,000 smart time-of-use EV customers. Typical savings for an EV driver covering 7,000 miles per year can exceed £271 annually versus a standard fixed-rate tariff.
Key Features
- Automated Smart Charging: Connects to your EV or home charger via the app and automatically schedules charging sessions for the cheapest, greenest times — no manual input required.
- Flat 8p/kWh Smart Rate: Pay just 8p/kWh for EV charging regardless of when the session runs, representing savings of up to 68% versus standard price cap rates.
- 6 Hours of Off-Peak Home Energy: Every night between 11:30 pm and 5:30 am your whole home benefits from cheap off-peak electricity, not just your EV charging.
- Real-Time App Control: Monitor your charging schedule, track energy spend, and override or adjust sessions instantly from the Octopus Energy mobile app.
- Broad Charger Compatibility: Works with a wide range of smart home chargers including Ohme, Andersen, and Octopus Charge, plus direct EV integrations for many popular models.
Use Cases
- EV owners who want to minimise home charging costs by automatically charging overnight at the cheapest off-peak rates.
- Households looking to reduce overall electricity bills by shifting appliance usage (dishwasher, washing machine) into the six nightly off-peak hours.
- Eco-conscious drivers who want their car charged during the greenest periods of the grid without manually tracking energy mix.
- Busy commuters who need their EV ready at a specific time each morning without manually managing charging sessions.
- Smart home adopters integrating EV charging into a broader home energy management strategy using compatible chargers and the Octopus app.
Pros
- Significant Cost Savings: Up to 68% cheaper than standard price cap rates for EV charging, with typical annual savings exceeding £271 for average-mileage drivers.
- Fully Automated Scheduling: The app handles charge scheduling automatically — drivers just plug in and set a target charge level, removing all manual effort.
- Whole-Home Benefit: The six nightly off-peak hours apply to all home electricity usage, not just the EV, amplifying total savings.
- Transparent App Dashboard: Easy-to-read spend tracking and schedule visibility give users full control and confidence over their energy usage.
Cons
- Smart Meter Required: The tariff relies entirely on the UK smart meter network, so homes without a compatible smart meter are not eligible to sign up.
- UK Only: Intelligent Octopus Go is exclusively available to residential customers in the United Kingdom and cannot be accessed internationally.
- Occasional Network Reliability Issues: As a cutting-edge smart meter product, rare network glitches outside Octopus's control can occasionally affect scheduling or In-Home Displays.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Intelligent Octopus Go automatically schedule my EV charging?
Once you connect your EV or smart charger in the Octopus app and plug your car in, you tell the app how much charge you need by a given time. The system uses smart meter data to find the cheapest and greenest windows within that timeframe and schedules your sessions automatically at 8p/kWh.
Do I need a smart meter to use Intelligent Octopus Go?
Yes. The tariff is entirely dependent on a compatible UK smart meter to enable time-of-use billing and automated scheduling. If you don't have one, Octopus Energy can arrange an installation as part of the sign-up process.
Which EVs and chargers are compatible?
Intelligent Octopus Go supports a wide range of popular EVs and smart home chargers, including Ohme, Andersen, and Octopus Charge hardware. You can check your specific vehicle or charger eligibility during the sign-up flow on the Octopus website.
How much can I save compared to a standard tariff?
Savings vary based on your driving habits and home energy usage. As a benchmark, an EV driver covering 7,000 miles per year could save approximately £271 annually versus an OctopusFixed tariff. The free savings calculator on the Octopus website provides a personalised estimate.
Can I override or change my charging schedule manually?
Yes. The Octopus Energy app lets you check your scheduled sessions at any time and override or modify them with a single tap if your plans change — giving you full control without losing access to the smart rate.
