Octopus Intelligent Go costs roughly half the standard variable tariff rate
The Octopus Intelligent Go tariff offers an off-peak electricity rate of approximately 7.5p/kWh in 2026, compared to the standard variable tariff cap of around 24.5p/kWh (Ofgem price cap announcement, 2026; Octopus Energy tariff page, 2026). The peak rate is typically around 27p/kWh, meaning your total bill depends heavily on how much usage you shift to the overnight cheap period.
Octopus Intelligent Go offers an off-peak rate of 7.5p/kWh vs the standard 24.5p/kWh cap, saving EV drivers roughly £500 annually on 10,000 miles. However, peak rates are 27p/kWh, so savings depend on shifting usage to the cheap window.
- Off-peak rate is 7.5p/kWh vs 24.5p/kWh standard variable tariff
- Annual EV charging costs £215 on off-peak vs £700 on standard
- Requires a compatible EV and a remotely controllable smart charger
- Guaranteed 6-hour cheap window, with extra grid-triggered slots
- Peak rate around 27p/kWh means savings depend on usage shifting
- Octopus Intelligent Go costs roughly half the standard variable tariff rate
- Who qualifies for Octopus Intelligent Go in 2026
- How Octopus Intelligent Go schedules your EV charging
- Quick numbers Octopus Intelligent Go key figures
- The direct answer to "Is Octopus Intelligent Go worth it?"
- How to verify your charger and installer for Octopus Intelligent Go compatibility
The tariff is designed specifically for electric vehicle (EV) owners, offering a guaranteed six hours of cheap charging overnight, with the potential for more if the grid has spare capacity. For a typical EV driver covering 10,000 miles per year at 3.5 miles/kWh, charging entirely on the off-peak rate costs roughly £215 annually, compared to over £700 on the standard variable tariff. However, if you cannot shift most of your charging to the cheap window, the higher peak rate erodes those savings quickly.
Who qualifies for Octopus Intelligent Go in 2026
Eligibility requires a compatible EV and a smart charger that Octopus can control remotely (Octopus Energy Intelligent Go eligibility page, 2026). The tariff is available to both new and existing Octopus Energy customers, but only if you have a smart meter installed at the property.
You cannot apply if you do not own an EV, or if your charger is an older non-smart model that cannot be remotely controlled. Renters can apply if the property has a smart meter and the landlord approves the tariff change. Octopus requires you to register your EV and charger details during the application process, so you must have both before switching.
How Octopus Intelligent Go schedules your EV charging
Octopus uses a smart algorithm to charge your car during the cheapest grid periods, which may extend beyond the standard six-hour window (Octopus Energy Intelligent Go product page, 2026). You set a “ready by” time in the Octopus app, and the system schedules charging to meet that deadline using the lowest-cost slots available overnight.
The system can pause charging if grid demand spikes, then resume later automatically. This is managed entirely by Octopus, not something you control manually. The tariff also allows you to schedule home appliances such as a washing machine or dishwasher during cheap hours, though this is not guaranteed because the algorithm prioritises EV charging. If you want to use the cheap rate for other appliances, you need to set them to run during the six-hour off-peak window manually.
Quick numbers Octopus Intelligent Go key figures
| Metric | Value (2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Off-peak rate | 7.5p/kWh | Octopus Energy tariff page, 2026 |
| Peak rate | 27p/kWh | Octopus Energy tariff page, 2026 |
| Standard variable tariff cap | 24.5p/kWh | Ofgem price cap announcement, 2026 |
| Minimum off-peak hours per night | 6 hours | Octopus Energy tariff page, 2026 |
| Maximum off-peak hours per night | Variable (up to 8–9 hours possible) | Octopus Energy tariff page, 2026 |
| Annual EV charging cost (10,000 miles at 3.5 miles/kWh) | £215 | Calculated from Octopus off-peak rate and EST efficiency data |
The direct answer to “Is Octopus Intelligent Go worth it?”
Yes, for EV owners who can shift most of their charging to off-peak hours, it typically saves £300–£500 per year compared to the standard variable tariff (Energy Saving Trust comparison tool, 2026; Octopus Energy savings claim, 2026). The exact figure depends on your driving mileage and how much you can shift to the cheap window.
It is not worth it for households without an EV, because the peak rate of 27p/kWh is higher than the standard variable tariff cap of 24.5p/kWh, meaning daytime usage costs more. The value also depends on your annual mileage: low-mileage drivers who only charge once or twice a week may not recoup the savings relative to simpler time-of-use tariffs like Octopus Go (which has a fixed four-hour off-peak window but a lower peak rate).
How to verify your charger and installer for Octopus Intelligent Go compatibility
The charger must be on Octopus’s approved list, which includes models from brands like Ohme, Zappi, and Tesla (Octopus Energy Intelligent Go compatibility page, 2026). The charger must also have been installed by an MCS-certified or NICEIC-approved electrician (MCS installer database, 2026; NICEIC register, 2026).
You can check your charger’s compatibility by entering its make and model on the Octopus app or website before applying. If your charger is not compatible, you may need to upgrade to a smart charger, which typically costs £800–£1,200 for supply and installation (Energy Saving Trust smart charger installation cost guide, 2026). This upfront cost offsets the annual savings, so factor it into your decision.
Compare Octopus Intelligent Go with Octopus Go and other EV tariffs
Frequently Asked Questions
Octopus Intelligent Go is a smart electricity tariff for EV owners, offering an off-peak rate of 7.5p/kWh for six hours overnight in 2026. The peak rate is around 27p/kWh, so savings depend on shifting charging to the cheap window (Octopus Energy tariff page, 2026).
The off-peak rate is 7.5p/kWh, while the peak rate is around 27p/kWh in 2026. This compares to the Ofgem price cap at 24.5p/kWh for the standard variable tariff.
You need a compatible EV and a smart charger that Octopus can control remotely, plus a smart meter at the property. Renters can apply with landlord approval (Octopus Energy eligibility page, 2026).
Octopus uses a smart algorithm to charge your car during the cheapest grid periods, potentially extending beyond the standard six-hour window. You set a 'ready by' time in the app (Octopus Energy product page, 2026).
No, the tariff is designed exclusively for EV owners. You must own an electric vehicle and have a compatible smart charger to apply.
Yes for EV drivers who can charge overnight, saving roughly £500 per year on 10,000 miles. But if you charge during peak hours, the higher rate erodes savings quickly.
