Octopus EV tariff 2026: Octopus Go and Intelligent Octopus Go explained.

Octopus Go is a dedicated EV electricity tariff from Octopus Energy. It gives you a cheap overnight unit rate of approximately 7.5p/kWh between midnight and 5am every night. Outside that window, you pay the standard day rate of approximately 24.5p/kWh for all other electricity use.

The saving over charging on the standard rate is significant. A driver covering 15,000 miles per year in a typical EV averaging 3.5 miles per kWh uses around 4,286 kWh for home charging annually. At 24.5p, that is roughly £1,050 per year. At 7.5p on Octopus Go, the same mileage costs around £321. The annual saving is approximately £730.

The mechanics are simple: you set your charger or car to start charging at midnight and run until 5am. The cheaper rate applies automatically within that window. Any charging outside it is billed at the standard day rate.

Intelligent Octopus Go is the smarter version of the same tariff. The overnight rate is the same (approximately 7.5p/kWh), but instead of a fixed midnight to 5am window you get a flexible charging period of 6 or more hours within a midnight to 9am range.

The key difference is automation. Intelligent Octopus communicates directly with your compatible vehicle or charger via an API, so it finds the cheapest available slots within that window and charges your car automatically. You plug in when you get home, tell the app what state of charge you want by morning, and the system handles the rest.

This matters because wholesale electricity prices vary throughout the night. Intelligent Octopus can take advantage of the lowest-cost periods within its window, pushing savings slightly further than the fixed midnight to 5am approach. For drivers who do not want to think about scheduling, it also removes the need to configure anything manually.

Intelligent Octopus requires a compatible EV or charger. If your car or charger is not on the compatibility list, standard Octopus Go is the right choice.

Rates change periodically. The figures above reflect Octopus Energy pricing in November 2026. Always check the current published rate on the Octopus Energy website before applying.

Both Octopus Go and Intelligent Octopus Go require a smart meter. Octopus needs to read your meter in half-hour intervals to verify when you are using electricity and apply the correct rate.

If you do not have a smart meter, Octopus will arrange a free installation as part of the sign-up process. The installation typically takes one to two hours and is carried out by a certified engineer. You do not pay for the meter or the installation.

Intelligent Octopus Go requires a vehicle or charger that supports API integration. As of 2026, compatible vehicles include:

• Tesla (most models, via the Tesla API)
• Volkswagen ID range: ID.3, ID.4, ID.5
• Skoda Enyaq
• Audi Q4 e-tron
• Cupra Born
• Polestar 2
• Jaguar I-PACE

If your car is not on the list, you can still use Intelligent Octopus via a compatible charger. The Ohme Home Pro integrates with Octopus natively and works with any EV. Select Hypervolt models also support the integration. Check the Octopus Energy website for the current full compatibility list, as new vehicles and chargers are added regularly.

For any car or charger not on the compatibility list, standard Octopus Go with scheduled charging is the practical alternative.

1. 01
   Check your current contract

   Variable-rate tariffs typically have no exit fees. Fixed-rate contracts sometimes carry an early exit charge. Confirm before switching.
2. 02
   Confirm or arrange a smart meter

   If you have a smart meter, Octopus can usually activate remote readings immediately. If not, they will arrange a free installation before your tariff goes live.
3. 03
   Apply via the Octopus Energy website

   Complete the application online. You will need your current energy usage, postcode, and smart meter serial number. Octopus handles the switch with your existing supplier directly.
4. 04
   Set up Intelligent Octopus if applicable

   If your EV or charger is compatible, download the Octopus Energy app, connect your vehicle, and set your target state of charge and departure time. The app handles scheduling from there.
5. 05
   Configure scheduled charging for Octopus Go

   If using standard Octopus Go, set your charger or car to start at midnight and finish by 5am. Most smart chargers and EV apps include a scheduling feature in their settings.

Octopus Go works with any home EV charger that supports scheduled charging, which includes all chargers sold in the UK since June 2022. The choice of charger affects how conveniently you can use the tariff:

See our guide to the best home EV chargers for a full breakdown by use case, or our full EV tariff comparison if you want to weigh Octopus Go against other suppliers before deciding.