Intelligent Octopus Go: rates, hours and is it worth it?
Quick answer
Off-peak rate
8p per kWh
Off-peak hours
11:30pm–5:30am
Exit fee
£50
Intelligent Octopus Go is Octopus Energy's smart EV tariff. Your whole home gets electricity at 8p per kWh for six hours every night, from 11:30pm to 5:30am. Octopus also controls when your car charges, and can add extra cheap charging slots outside those hours when the grid has spare power.
How it works
You plug in, then set the charge level you want and when you need the car ready in the Octopus app. Octopus schedules the charging for you. You get up to six hours of smart charging at 8p in any 24 hours, whether that's inside the overnight window, outside it, or both. When a smart charging slot falls outside the overnight window, your whole home gets the cheap rate during it too.
Rates
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Off-peak, 11:30pm to 5:30am | 8p per kWh |
| Smart charging slots (up to 6 hours a day) | 8p per kWh |
| Peak rate | About 38.90p per kWh on average (37.16p to 41.55p by region) |
| Standing charge | About 57p a day on average (43p to 68p by region) |
Rates as published by Octopus and reported for October 2026. Peak rates and standing charges vary by region, so check your postcode with Octopus.
What you need
- A smart meter. Octopus can fit one free if you don't have one, but waiting times vary by region.
- A compatible car or charger, connected through the Octopus app. Octopus lists over 280 compatible car models, including Tesla, Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Kia, Hyundai, BMW, Polestar and Nissan.
- To be an Octopus customer. If you're not, you switch to Flexible Octopus first, then move to Intelligent Octopus Go.
Compatible home chargers include the Ohme Home Pro and ePod, Hypervolt Home 3 Pro, myenergi Zappi, Easee One, Andersen A3 and Quartz, Pod Point Solo 3S, Indra Smart Pro and Lux, and VCHRGD Seven Pro. Check Octopus's current list before you buy, as compatibility can change. See our guide to the best home EV chargers.
How much could you save?
Charging 2,400 kWh a year, roughly 8,000 miles, costs about £192 at 8p per kWh, compared with about £632 at the 26.32p price cap rate. That's a saving of around £440 a year on the car.
The catch is the peak rate. At around 38.90p on average, it's higher than the 26.32p price cap. If your household uses 2,700 kWh a year outside the cheap hours, that costs about £340 more. You'd still be roughly £100 a year better off, and more if you move the washing machine, dishwasher or tumble dryer into the cheap hours.
Who it suits
Good fit: you have a compatible car or charger, you drive a fair number of miles, and you're happy letting Octopus decide exactly when the car charges.
Not a great fit: your car and charger aren't compatible, you use a lot of electricity during the day, or you'd rather have a lower peak rate. EDF GoElectric currently has a cheaper overnight rate and a much lower peak rate, and doesn't need a smart charger.
Common questions
What is the Intelligent Octopus Go rate?
8p per kWh for six hours from 11:30pm to 5:30am, plus up to six hours of smart charging at 8p in any 24 hours. The peak rate averages about 38.90p per kWh, varying by region.
Is there an exit fee on Intelligent Octopus Go?
Yes. It's £50 if you leave or move tariffs early.
Do I need a smart charger for Intelligent Octopus Go?
You need either a compatible smart charger or a compatible car that Octopus can control through its app. Many popular EVs and chargers are on the list.
What's the difference between Octopus Go and Intelligent Octopus Go?
Octopus Go gives a fixed cheap window from 12:30am to 5:30am and you control the charging yourself. Intelligent Octopus Go lets Octopus schedule your charging, and adds extra cheap smart charging slots.
Sources
Rates, hours, smart charging slots and exit fee from Octopus Energy. Peak rate, standing charge, smart meter requirement and compatible chargers as reported by BestChargers (October 2026). Rates and schemes change, so check with the supplier or GOV.UK before you rely on them.