Octopus Go: rates, times and who it suits
The simple EV tariff — a fixed cheap overnight window every night, no smart scheduling required. Here’s how it works and when Intelligent Go beats it.
See live Octopus rates for your postcode →At a glance
| What it is | EV time-of-use tariff with a fixed cheap overnight window |
| Window | A set overnight period each night (typically early hours; see current version) |
| Whole house | Everything used in the window is billed at the cheap rate |
| Needs | SMETS2 smart meter sending half-hourly reads |
| EV required? | Intended for EV drivers — Octopus asks about your EV at sign-up |
| Alternative | Intelligent Octopus Go — lower rate, smart-managed window |
How Octopus Go works
Go splits your day in two: a standard day rate, and a heavily discounted overnight window that repeats every night. Charge the car (and run the heavy appliances) inside the window and the average price you pay collapses. There’s no software control and nothing to schedule — set the car’s own timer and you’re done. Exact rates and window times belong to the current version, so check the live quote rather than an out-of-date screenshot.
Can you get Octopus Go without an EV?
It’s one of the most-asked questions about this tariff. Go is designed and priced for EV drivers, and Octopus asks about your vehicle when you apply. If you don’t have an EV but your usage genuinely skews overnight — storage heaters, overnight battery charging — you may be better served by Economy 7 or a battery-specific setup, and it’s worth comparing those directly. A live comparison with your real usage pattern answers it in minutes.
Go or Intelligent Go?
If your car or charger is on the Intelligent Octopus Go compatibility list, Intelligent usually wins: lower off-peak rate, longer effective window. Choose standard Go when you want the fixed, predictable window — or when your hardware isn’t compatible with the smart version.
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.
Compare live prices now →More guides in this series
Your questions answered
What are the Octopus Go off-peak times?
A fixed overnight window each night, set by the current version of the tariff. Check the live tariff details for today’s exact window and rates for your region.
Can I get Octopus Go without an electric car?
Go is intended for EV drivers and Octopus asks about your EV at sign-up. Without an EV, Economy 7 or a standard tariff may fit overnight-heavy usage better — compare with your real usage.
Does the cheap rate cover my whole house?
Yes. Everything you use during the window is billed at the off-peak rate, so shifting appliances overnight compounds the EV saving.
Do I need a smart meter for Octopus Go?
Yes — a SMETS2 smart meter sending half-hourly readings, so Octopus can bill the window separately.
Is Octopus Go fixed or variable?
The structure (cheap window + day rate) is stable but rates belong to the version you sign; check whether the current version is fixed-term or rolling before you commit.
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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