- What is Intelligent Octopus Go?
- How Does Intelligent Octopus Go work?
- What Are Intelligent Octopus Go Rates?
- How much can you save with Intelligent Octopus Go?
- The Important Details of Intelligent Octopus Go
- What Are The Downsides to The Intelligent Octopus Go Tariff?
- How to Switch to Intelligent Octopus Go
- Intelligent Octopus Go vs Octopus Go tariff: Which is Better?
- Does Intelligent Octopus Go Work with a Solar and Battery System?
- Thinking of Going Solar? Here’s Why Bigger Is Better
Most electricity tariffs won’t save you much money—if any. But if you own an electric vehicle (EV), Intelligent Octopus Go might just be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for.
This tariff gives you some of the lowest EV charging rates out there. You can charge your car cheaply and use low-cost electricity for your home during off peak hours when demand on the grid is low.
And if you can want to stretch your savings further, pair Intelligent Octopus Go with a solar and battery system to save on your energy bills. Click the button below to enter a few details, and we’ll generate a quick estimate of your potential savings.
✅ Pros
Low Nighttime Electricity Rates: Pay just 7p per kWh for six hours of off-peak electricity between 11:30pm and 5:30am.
Smart Charging: Use Octopus’ app to schedule charging outside these hours at the same discounted rate.
Lower Household Bills: Reduce your energy costs by running appliances like dishwashers and washing machines during off-peak times.
❌ Cons
You need a compatible EV or an Ohme charger to use the tariff.
A smart meter is required for tracking energy usage.
What is Intelligent Octopus Go?
Intelligent Octopus Go is a smart import tariff specifically for electric vehicle owners. It has peak and off-peak periods which allow you to use your home charger at a cheap rate.
Its off-peak rate enables households to use electricity at a significantly cheaper rate between 11:30pm and 5:30am.
Homes with solar panels can pair this tariff with an export tariff like Octopus Outgoing Fixed, which pays for the excess energy you send back to the grid.
EV tariffs like Intelligent Octopus Go typically save EV drivers hundreds of pounds annually compared to standard fixed or variable tariffs.
How Does Intelligent Octopus Go work?
Most EV tariffs offer cheaper overnight rates and rely on you to manually schedule your car or charger during the off-peak window. Intelligent Octopus Go, however, takes a smarter approach by managing the process for you.
How it works
Connect your EV or charger: Link your vehicle or charger to the Octopus app.
Set your goals: Enter your target charge percentage and the time you need your car ready.
Sit back: Octopus handles the rest. Your car will charge during the cheapest times for Octopus to buy electricity from the grid, but you’ll always pay 7p per kWh. This rate is 71% cheaper than the Ofgem price cap as of October 2024.
For example, you might set your car to reach 80% charge by 7am. Octopus then determines the best times to charge your car overnight, starting and stopping as needed to ensure it meets your target while using the cheapest energy available.
Easy, right? With Intelligent Octopus Go, you save time, effort, and money while reducing your environmental impact.
What Are Intelligent Octopus Go Rates?
City | Off-peak rate (11:30pm-5:30am) | Peak rate (5:30am-11:30pm) | Standing charge |
---|---|---|---|
Birmingham | 7p/kWh | 25.08p/kWh | 61.56p/day |
Bristol | 7p/kWh | 25.58p/kWh | 66.07p/day |
Cardiff | 7p/kWh | 25.9p/kWh | 62.06p/day |
Edinburgh | 7p/kWh | 25.25p/kWh | 62.12p/day |
London | 7p/kWh | 27.18p/kWh | 39.54p/day |
Manchester | 7p/kWh | 25.03p/kWh | 54.85p/day |
York | 7p/kWh | 24.47p/kWh | 70.05p/day |
Off-peak rate: Intelligent Octopus Go charges just 7p per kWh during off-peak hours between 11:30pm to 5:30am. This rate is about three and a half times lower than the electricity price cap, making it one of the most affordable options out there.
Sometimes, Octopus extends the off-peak window by up to 30 minutes to give customers more opportunities to save.
Peak rate: If you use electricity outside the off-peak window, you’ll pay a higher rate, depending on where you live. You can use the octopus app to request charging outside off-peak hours and still lock in the 7p per kWh rate.
If you need to charge right away, you can start a “bump charge,” but keep in mind it will cost the going peak rate.
How much can you save with Intelligent Octopus Go?
Provider | Octopus Energy |
Tariff name | Intelligent Octopus Go |
Tariff type | Variable |
Tariff change frequency | Rare |
Average savings vs normal tariff | £348 per year* |
Requirements | • Have an eligible car and charger • Receive electricity from Octopus |
Exit fee? | No |
The average UK driver covers 6,600 miles per year. Based on the October price cap, switching to Intelligent Octopus Go would save around £348 annually.
For example, charging a 2023 Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD at the average electricity price of 34p per kWh costs approximately £697.38 per year for an annual mileage of 10,400 miles.
Charging the same car on Intelligent Octopus Go would cost around £153.83 per year, resulting in savings of over £540 simply by switching and charging overnight.
If you have a 4.4kWp solar panel system, pairing it with the Octopus Outgoing Fixed tariff (paying 15p per kWh for exported solar energy) can earn you approximately £190 per year.
Combining these savings gives the following:
For a driver covering 6,600 miles per year, total savings (with solar export earnings) would be approximately:
£348 (EV savings) + £190 (solar export earnings) = £538 annually.
For a driver covering 10,400 miles per year, total savings (with solar export earnings) would be approximately:
£548 (EV savings) + £190 (solar export earnings) = £738 annually.
With Intelligent Octopus Go, charging your EV could cost next to nothing if you pair it with solar panels. Even without solar, the savings are substantial.
So, you can see why we consider intelligent Octopus Go the best EV tariff available in the UK today.
The Important Details of Intelligent Octopus Go
One car per account: You can only sign up with one car, but you can charge a second vehicle during the off-peak period at the same rate.
Off-peak rate stability: Since its launch in 2022, the off-peak rate has only changed once—from 7.5p to 7p per kWh. With other low-cost EV tariffs entering the market, this price is more likely to decrease than increase.
Peak rate fluctuations: The peak rate typically changes every three months, aligning with Ofgem’s price cap. Exact rates depend on your region.
For example, in London, the off-peak price is 7p per kWh, while the peak price is 30.6p per kWh.
EV charging: Your total costs will depend on how many miles you drive and how often you charge your car during off-peak hours.
Household energy use: The tariff applies to your entire home’s energy consumption, not just your EV, so shifting appliance usage to off-peak times can further reduce bills.
Bump Charges: If you need to charge during the day, you’ll pay the peak rate. This is called a “Bump Charge” in the Octopus app. To keep costs down:
- Avoid scheduling unnecessary daytime charges.
- Leave your car plugged in and let Octopus handle the charging schedule.
Flexibility with delays: If Octopus decides to delay charging or run your charge outside the usual off-peak hours, it will still honour the off-peak rate. This ensures your car meets its target charge by the time you set without extra cost.
What Are The Downsides to The Intelligent Octopus Go Tariff?
The only potential issue is if you prefer complete control over your EV charging schedule. This might be the case if you’ve already fine-tuned a solar and battery storage system and don’t want any external interference with when or how your car charges.
For everyone else who values convenience and cheap EV charging, Intelligent Octopus Go has no real downsides. It’s simple, effective, and cost saving.
How to Switch to Intelligent Octopus Go
Switching to Intelligent Octopus is straightforward, but there are a few requirements to meet before you get started.
What you’ll need
Be an Octopus Energy Customer: If you’re not already with Octopus Energy, you’ll need to switch first.
Have a SMETS2 Smart Meter: Don’t have one yet? Octopus can install one for you.
A Compatible Smartphone: You’ll need an iPhone (iOS 14.0 or later) or an Android device (v7 or later).
A Compatible EV or Charger: Check that your car or charger works with Intelligent Octopus. Ohme chargers, like the Home Pro or ePod, are compatible.
How to switch
Download the Octopus app: If you’re already an Octopus Energy customer, you may already have the app. If not, download it for free.
Connect your EV or charger: Plug in your car or charger and select Intelligent Octopus from the app menu.
Perform a compatibility test: The app will ask for your vehicle and charger details, then perform a quick test to confirm it can communicate with them for smart charging.
Start the switch: If the test is successful, your switch to Intelligent Octopus will begin.
That’s it! Once you’re set up, Octopus will take over your charging schedule to ensure your EV is charged efficiently and at the lowest cost.
Intelligent Octopus Go vs Octopus Go tariff: Which is Better?
Feature | Intelligent Octopus Go | Octopus Go |
---|---|---|
Off-peak rate | 7p/kWh | 9p/kWh |
Off-peak period | 11:30pm-5:30am | 12:30am-4:30am |
Advanced charging? | Yes | No |
Best export tariff it can pair with | Outgoing Fixed (15p/kWh) | ScottishPower SmartGen (12p/kWh) |
Compatibility | Limited to certain cars and chargers | All cars and chargers |
Choosing between Intelligent Octopus and Octopus Go comes down to compatibility and features. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide.
Why choose Intelligent Octopus Go?
Cheaper rates: Intelligent Octopus Go offers an off-peak rate of 7p per kWh, compared to 9p per kWh on Octopus Go. This makes Intelligent Octopus Go 20% cheaper.
Longer off-peak window: Intelligent Octopus Go gives you 6 hours of off-peak electricity (11:30pm to 5:30am), while Octopus Go only provides 4 hours (12:30am to 4:30am).
App-driven savings: With Intelligent Octopus, you can request a charge outside the usual off-peak window and still pay 7p per kWh. Octopus Go doesn’t offer this feature.
Higher export rates for solar homes: Intelligent Octopus customers can benefit from Octopus Outgoing Fixed, which pays 15p per kWh for exported solar energy. In contrast, Octopus Go customers are limited to the 8p per kWh Outgoing Fixed Lite tariff or must switch to a competitor like ScottishPower’s 12p per kWh SmartGen tariff for better rates.
When to choose Octopus Go
Wider Compatibility: Octopus Go works with any EV and charger, making it more accessible. Intelligent Octopus requires a compatible vehicle or an Ohme charger.
Established Option: Octopus Go was the company’s first EV tariff and is still widely available for all EV owners.
Eligibility: Intelligent Octopus requires specific EV models or chargers, but Octopus Go works with any combination.
Does Intelligent Octopus Go Work with a Solar and Battery System?
Yes, Intelligent Octopus Go works perfectly with solar panels and home battery systems. This combination helps homeowners save money, rely less on the grid, and earn by exporting excess energy.
With this setup, homeowners can import electricity overnight at a low rate, charge their battery, and store energy to use during the day. Any surplus power generated by the solar panels is exported to the grid, turning extra energy into income.
Let’s revisit the example of a typical setup:
A 4.4 kWp solar panel system (8–13 panels).
A 13.5 kWh battery to store electricity for daily use.
An EV charger, like one used to charge a 2023 Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD.
First off, Octopus Outgoing Fixed is the best export tariff for solar users. This tariff pays 15p per kWh for electricity sent to the grid (around £190 per year) for a household with a 4.4 kWp solar system.
Since September 2023, Intelligent Octopus Go and Octopus Outgoing Fixed can be combined to allow Octopus Energy customers import electricity at one of the cheapest EV rates while earning a premium for exported solar energy.
Here’s how it works
During the Intelligent Octopus Go off-peak window (11:30 pm to 5:30 am), you can fully charge your battery at just 7p per kWh. By morning, your battery will have 13.5 kWh of stored electricity ready to power your home.
If your solar panels aren’t generating enough energy to meet your home’s demand (on cloudy days or at night) the battery automatically steps in to supply electricity.
As long as the battery doesn’t run out of charge and your home’s energy demand stays within its capacity, you can run your home with almost no electricity imported from the National Grid during the day. This keeps electricity bills low, as you’ll use very little full-price electricity.
Can You Use Solar to Charge Your EV?
This is where it gets a bit tricky. While Intelligent Octopus Go works perfectly with solar for exporting energy to the grid, it doesn’t automatically divert surplus solar power to charge your EV.
If you use all your solar energy yourself, your electricity bill will be lower. However, it’s impossible to self-consume all the electricity your panels generate. You’ll still need electricity at nighttime or when demand exceeds production.
While storing extra solar energy in your battery for daytime use can reduce your bill, exporting surplus energy at 15p per kWh is more financially beneficial than simply using it.
It’s basic maths. You earn more from exporting than you save by self-consuming during the day.
Also, since Octopus controls your smart charging, it won’t start charging your car during the day when surplus solar energy is available.
The workaround
You could temporarily disable smart charging in the Octopus app during the day and set your solar-compatible EV charger to “solar-only” mode. This lets you use your excess solar energy to charge your car.
Before the evening, switch back to Intelligent Octopus to ensure your car charges overnight at the cheaper off-peak rate.
Is it worth it?
While this method works, it can be a bit inconvenient. In many cases, exporting your surplus solar energy to the grid at 15p per kWh is more financially rewarding than using it to charge your EV.
Alternatives for solar users
If you also have a heat pump Cosy Octopus offers three off-peak periods daily (4am–7am, 1pm–4pm, and 10pm–12am) with rates 50% cheaper than the Flexible Octopus rate.
Intelligent Octopus Flux is an import and export tariff ideal for homes with large solar panel systems (over 5.2kWp).
It offers higher export rates during peak times (4pm–7pm) and uses your battery as a selling machine to maximise profits. However, you won’t get the low import rates that Intelligent Octopus Go offers.
Thinking of Going Solar? Here’s Why Bigger Is Better
When you’re switching to solar, go big if you can.
Adding extra panels doesn’t significantly increase the upfront cost, but it can make a big difference to your savings over time.
A larger battery is also worth considering. It allows you to store more energy, use less from the grid, and maximise the value of your solar panels.
you cut your bills and boost your energy independence by relying more on stored power.
Which Cars Work with Intelligent Octopus Go?
Plenty of electric cars work with Intelligent Octopus Go, including models from big names like Audi, Ford, Tesla, and Volkswagen.
While the list of compatible chargers is smaller, it’s growing fast. Right now, chargers from Hypervolt, Myenergi, Ohme, and Wallbox are all good to go with this tariff.
What Is the Difference Between Octopus Go and Intelligent Octopus Go?
The key differences come down to price, timing, and features.
Octopus Go gives you an off-peak rate of 9p per kWh between 12:30am and 4:30am.
Intelligent Octopus Go extends the off-peak period from 11:30pm to 5:30am and offers a cheaper rate of just 7p per kWh.
Octopus Go is a simple tariff where you manage charging yourself, while Intelligent Octopus Go is a smart tariff. With Intelligent, you just tell the app when you need your car ready, and Octopus takes care of the rest.
Intelligent Octopus Go only works with compatible cars and chargers. Octopus Go, on the other hand, works with any EV and charger.
Can I Get Intelligent Octopus Go Without an EV?
Nope. You need an electric vehicle to sign up for Intelligent Octopus Go. But if you don’t drive an EV and you’re looking for smart energy options, Intelligent Octopus Flux could be perfect.
It lets Octopus manage your battery for buying and selling electricity, saving you money and earning you some on the side.
Which EV Chargers Work with Intelligent Octopus Go?
If you’re after a compatible charger, you’re in luck. Models from Hypervolt, Myenergi, Ohme, and Wallbox all work with Intelligent Octopus Go.
These 7.4kW chargers are for home use and are a great pick if you want to get the benefits of this tariff.
Do I Need a Smart Meter for Intelligent Octopus Go?
Yes, you do. Your smart meter needs to send half-hourly data to Octopus to qualify. If you don’t have one, your energy supplier must install one for free. Just give them a call and get it sorted.
Is Intelligent Octopus Go a Fixed Tariff?
No, Intelligent Octopus Go is a variable tariff. This means Octopus can adjust the rates to match wholesale electricity prices.
However, the off-peak rate of 7p per kWh barely changes. The peak rate varies depending on your region and typically gets updated every 3 months.