How Does Octopus Intelligent Go Work? UK 2026 Guide
EV Charger Guidance • Page 33

How Does Octopus
Intelligent Go Work?

Octopus Intelligent Go is a smart EV tariff that schedules your charging automatically during cheap off-peak windows. The off-peak rate is around 7p per kWh and the system manages the charging without manual intervention. Here is how the UK's most popular smart EV tariff actually works.

Authored by: NAPIT Approved Engineers
Reviewed: April 2026
Coverage: Bedford, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Luton
Quick answer

Octopus Intelligent Go is a UK electricity tariff designed for EV owners. The off-peak rate of around 7p per kWh applies between 11.30pm and 5.30am every night. Octopus controls when your EV charges during a wider 6-hour smart window via integration with the EV or charger app. The system shifts charging to the cheapest grid moments automatically. Daily peak rate (around 27p per kWh) applies the rest of the time. Most UK EV owners save £400 to £700 per year on Intelligent Go vs a standard tariff.

7p/kWh

Off-Peak Rate

Octopus Intelligent Go off-peak rate is around 7p per kWh between 11.30pm and 5.30am. Among the cheapest UK EV tariffs available.

6hours

Smart Charging Window

Octopus schedules charging during a 6-hour overnight window. Your EV charges when grid demand is lowest and renewables highest.

27p/kWh

Peak Rate

Standard peak rate applies outside the off-peak window. Around 27p per kWh in 2026, similar to standard variable tariffs.

£500/yr

Typical Saving

Most UK EV owners save £400 to £700 per year on Intelligent Go vs a standard variable tariff for the same energy use.

In this guide

What this page covers

01How smart charging works 02Setup and integration 03Off-peak rate detail 04Compatible cars and chargers

How the UK Octopus Intelligent Go tariff actually works

Octopus Intelligent Go is the most popular UK smart EV tariff in 2026. The principle is simple. Octopus offers a deeply discounted off-peak rate of around 7p per kWh during the standard window from 11.30pm to 5.30am every night. In addition, the system can extend low-rate charging into a wider 6-hour 'smart' window if your EV is connected and Octopus can see how much charge you actually need.

How smart charging works

The smart side of Intelligent Go relies on Octopus knowing your EV's state of charge, target charge level and departure time. This information comes from one of three integration routes. Direct EV integration (Tesla, Ford, Renault, Polestar and several others connect directly via API). Charger integration (Ohme, Wallbox Pulsar Plus, Indra Smart Pro, MyEnergi Zappi and others). Cable integration (the Ohme cable acts as the smart device for any EV).

Octopus uses this data to decide when to charge your car during the night. The system targets the cheapest 6 hours of the night-time grid which often includes very cheap renewable surplus periods. You typically wake up to a fully charged car for around 7p per kWh.

What you actually do

Plug the EV in when you get home. Set a target state of charge and departure time in the Octopus app or the EV's own app. Octopus handles the rest. The car will sometimes pause and resume charging during the night as the system optimises against grid prices. The result is the cheapest possible overnight charging without manual intervention.

Off-peak vs smart-window difference

Two ways to access the cheap rate. Standard off-peak (11.30pm to 5.30am) gets the cheap rate automatically without any smart integration. The smart window extends this by up to 2 hours if you have integrated kit and Octopus can see your charging need. The smart window can deliver more cheap kWh per night for high-mileage drivers who need a longer charge cycle.

Compatible setups

The list of compatible EVs and chargers is large and growing. Tesla Model 3/Y/S/X via direct API. Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning via FordPass. Most modern Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Mercedes, VW Group EVs work via charger integration. Smart chargers from Ohme, MyEnergi, Wallbox, Indra and Andersen all integrate. The Octopus website maintains a current compatibility list at octopus.energy.

Authoritative context

Octopus Energy is regulated by Ofgem under standard UK domestic energy supply rules. Smart EV tariffs operate within the wider UK electricity market mechanisms including settlement, balancing and demand response. The Octopus Intelligent Go tariff is reviewed periodically with rates adjusted for wholesale market conditions. UK consumer protection rules (Energy Ombudsman, Ofgem standards) apply to Intelligent Go customers as they do to standard tariff customers. Octopus publishes ongoing usage data and customer satisfaction figures showing high levels of EV owner adoption since the tariff launched in 2022.

Octopus Intelligent Go vs standard tariff

Standard variable tariff (typical UK 2026)
Around 25p per kWh for all electricity use. EV charging at this rate is significantly more expensive.
~25p/kWh
Octopus Go (older simpler version)
Off-peak only between 12.30am and 4.30am at around 8.5p per kWh. No smart features.
~8.5p/kWh
Octopus Intelligent Go (smart)
Around 7p per kWh during 11.30pm to 5.30am window or smart-extended window of up to 6 hours.
~7p/kWh

Typical UK Intelligent Go charging night

1

Plug in (e.g. 6pm)

Connect EV to home charger. Set target SoC and departure time in app. Octopus receives charging request via integration.

2

Standby until smart window

Charger holds power off until off-peak window begins. Octopus shows planned start time in the app.

3

Smart charging starts (e.g. 11.30pm)

Charger delivers power at full speed during the cheapest hours. Off-peak rate of around 7p per kWh applies.

4

Wake up fully charged

EV reaches target SoC overnight at the cheap rate. Daily commute starts with full battery for around 2p per mile.

Key UK Intelligent Go facts

7p per kWh off-peak

One of the cheapest UK EV tariffs available in 2026. Significantly cheaper than standard variable rates.

Smart integration optional but recommended

Direct EV integration or smart charger gives access to the wider 6-hour smart window for more cheap kWh per night.

Whole house benefits

The off-peak rate applies to all electricity use during the window not just EV charging. Run dishwashers and washing machines too.

Switch saves £400 to £700 per year

Typical UK EV owner saves £400 to £700 per year switching from standard variable to Intelligent Go.

Standard variable tariff

  • Single rate around 25p per kWh
  • EV charging cost: ~7p per mile
  • No smart scheduling
  • All hours same price
  • No EV integration needed
  • Standard whole-house tariff

Octopus Intelligent Go

  • Off-peak: ~7p per kWh
  • EV charging cost: ~2p per mile
  • Automatic smart scheduling
  • Off-peak 11.30pm to 5.30am
  • EV or charger integration recommended
  • Whole-house off-peak benefit

Charging tariffs are one big part of UK EV running costs. The wider EV Charger Guidance hub covers home charger install, the buying decision, battery questions and the dozens of practical questions UK drivers ask about everyday EV ownership.

If you want the wider charging picture, our guide on how to pay for electric car charging covers the UK payment systems. The cost angle is in how much does it cost to charge an electric car. For total running cost see are electric cars cheaper to run.

Payments

How to pay for electric car charging

 Charging Cost

How much does it cost to charge an electric car

 Running Cost

Are electric cars cheaper to run
Frequently asked

Common questions

Do I need a smart charger for Octopus Intelligent Go?
Not strictly. You can access the basic off-peak rate (11.30pm to 5.30am) without any smart integration just by being on the tariff. To access the wider 6-hour smart window you need either direct EV integration (Tesla, Ford and several others) or a compatible smart charger (Ohme, MyEnergi Zappi and others). The smart window adds more cheap kWh per night which can be valuable for high-mileage drivers.
What if I forget to plug in?
You charge at the standard peak rate when you do plug in. There is no penalty beyond paying around 27p per kWh instead of 7p. Most UK Intelligent Go users develop a routine of plugging in as soon as they get home. The Octopus app sends reminders if it expected your car to be plugged in based on past patterns.
Can I use the off-peak rate for things other than EV charging?
Yes. The off-peak rate applies to all electricity use in the household during the off-peak window not just EV charging. UK Intelligent Go customers commonly schedule dishwashers, washing machines, tumble dryers and immersion heaters to run between 11.30pm and 5.30am to maximise the saving. Smart plugs make this easy to automate.
Is Intelligent Go cheaper than Octopus Go?
Generally yes for EV owners. Standard Octopus Go offers 4 hours of cheap rate (12.30am to 4.30am). Intelligent Go offers 6 hours of cheap rate (11.30pm to 5.30am base, extending to 6 hours via smart). The Intelligent Go off-peak rate is also slightly lower (around 7p vs 8.5p per kWh). The peak rate may be slightly higher on Intelligent Go but for most UK EV owners the net saving is meaningful.
What happens if my EV is not on the compatible list?
Use a smart charger that is compatible. The Ohme Home Pro, MyEnergi Zappi v2, Wallbox Pulsar Plus and Indra Smart Pro all integrate with Intelligent Go regardless of the EV brand. The smart charger acts as the integration point. You get the same cheap rates and smart scheduling. Direct EV integration is convenient but not essential.

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