Intelligent Octopus Go: rates, how it works and who it suits
The market-leading smart EV tariff: a ~7p/kWh off-peak rate over a six-hour window, with Octopus’s software choosing exactly when your car charges.
See live Octopus rates for your postcode →At a glance
| Off-peak rate | ~7p/kWh — among the cheapest EV off-peak rates on the market |
| Off-peak window | Six hours overnight, smart-managed (can extend when the grid is cheap) |
| How it charges | Octopus’s software schedules your car’s charging automatically |
| What you need | Compatible SMETS2 smart meter + a compatible EV or home charger |
| Day rate | Standard rate outside the window (regional; see live quote) |
| Best for | EV drivers who can plug in overnight and let the software drive |
How Intelligent Octopus Go actually works
You plug in and set a target (say, 80% by 7am). Octopus’s platform then picks the cheapest, greenest slots to charge — usually inside the six-hour overnight window, but it can also charge outside the window when the grid is cheap, and you still pay the off-peak rate for that smart-scheduled energy. That’s the core difference from standard Go: you give up control of when, and in exchange you get one of the lowest per-kWh EV rates in the UK.
Intelligent Go vs standard Octopus Go
Standard Go gives you a fixed cheap window every night — simple, predictable, works with any smart-metered home. Intelligent Go usually offers the better rate and a longer effective window, but it needs a compatible car or charger and you hand scheduling to the software. If your car or charger is on the compatibility list, Intelligent Go is normally the stronger deal; if not, standard Go still beats a single-rate tariff comfortably for overnight charging.
The catches worth knowing
Three practical ones. You need a working SMETS2 smart meter sending half-hourly readings. Your EV or home charger must be on Octopus’s compatibility list (most major brands are, but check yours). And the whole house pays the day rate outside off-peak hours — so heavy daytime users should run the numbers on total usage, not just charging. A live quote with your real consumption settles it.
Check it against the whole market in two minutes
Rates differ by region and meter type, and the cheapest deal changes week to week. Run a quick quote with your real usage to see this tariff alongside everything else you can switch to today.
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Your questions answered
What rate is Intelligent Octopus Go?
Around 7p/kWh for smart-scheduled charging across a six-hour overnight window — among the cheapest EV off-peak rates available. Day rates are regional; check a live quote.
Do I need a special charger for Intelligent Octopus Go?
You need either a compatible EV or a compatible home charger (plus a SMETS2 smart meter) so Octopus’s software can control charging. Most major EV and charger brands are supported.
Can Intelligent Octopus Go charge outside the window?
Yes — the software can schedule extra cheap slots outside the core six hours, and that smart-scheduled charging is still billed at the off-peak rate.
Is Intelligent Octopus Go cheaper than Octopus Go?
Usually, yes — the off-peak rate is typically lower and the effective window longer. Standard Go remains the fallback if your car or charger isn’t compatible.
Does the cheap rate apply to my whole house?
During the off-peak window, yes — all electricity is billed at the off-peak rate, so running the dishwasher or washing machine overnight compounds the saving.
Product details checked 23 July 2026 from supplier announcements and our live tariff database; rates vary by region — always confirm on a live quote. We may earn a commission when you switch through us — see how we get paid.
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