Why Intelligent Octopus Go Had to Change | Alex Schoch

Why Intelligent Octopus Go Had to Change | Alex Schoch

In this episode of Energy Unwrapped, I’m joined by Alex Schoch from Octopus Energy to talk about the changes to Intelligent Octopus Go, why they were introduced, and what they mean for EV owners and wider home energy use.

We get into the new 6-hour charging cap, how the tariff actually works behind the scenes, and why most EV charging sessions are far shorter than people expect. The conversation also expands into export pricing, wholesale markets, grid flexibility and how Octopus is thinking about the future of tariffs as more homes electrify.

A big theme throughout is that energy is moving away from simple flat pricing towards smarter, time-based tariffs. As more EVs, heat pumps and batteries come online, flexibility becomes more valuable, both for the grid and for homeowners who are willing to adapt how and when they use electricity.

What we cover in this episode

• why Intelligent Octopus Go had to change
• how the new 6-hour charging cap works
• why most EV charging sessions are only a couple of hours
• what happens if you need more than 6 hours of charging
• how smart EV charging actually works behind the scenes
• how Octopus uses flexibility to balance the grid
• why export tariffs are moving away from flat rates
• the link between solar, batteries and export pricing
• how wholesale energy prices drive tariff design
• fixed vs variable tariffs and when each makes sense
• how EVs act like part of a virtual power plant
• the future of vehicle-to-grid and flexible home energy

Watch or Listen

Find all platform links via Podlink: Energy Unwrapped with Mick Wall

Watch on YouTube

Full Transcript

Below is the full transcript for this episode, lightly edited for readability.

What Is Intelligent Octopus Go and Why It Matters

At the start of the episode, we set the scene by explaining what Intelligent Octopus Go actually is. It is not just a cheap overnight tariff. It is a smart EV charging system that connects to your car or charger and schedules charging based on price, grid conditions and your required charge level by a set time.

Why Intelligent Octopus Go Had to Change

The key update discussed in this episode is the introduction of a charging cap, where users can opt to keep the standard 6 hours of cheap charging, or go beyond that with additional charging billed at the normal rate. This change reflects how the tariff has evolved as usage has grown and more EVs are connected to the system.

The 6-Hour Charging Window Explained

The headline feature of Intelligent Octopus Go remains the 6 hours of cheap electricity, which applies to both EV charging and the wider home overnight. In practice, this gives around 42 kWh of energy, which is enough for many EVs to cover typical daily usage.

Why Most EV Charging Sessions Are Much Shorter

One of the more surprising insights in the episode is that the average EV charging session is only around 2.5 hours per day. That means most users are well within the cheap charging window already. The perception that EVs always need long overnight charging sessions does not match real-world usage for most drivers.

What Happens If You Need More Than 6 Hours of Charging

For larger battery EVs or occasional longer journeys, the new setup allows charging beyond the cheap window. The additional electricity is billed at the standard rate, but even then, the blended cost is often still far cheaper than using public rapid chargers.

Why Behaviour Change Matters for EV Charging

A key mindset shift discussed in the episode is that EVs work best when you plug in little and often, rather than waiting until the battery is nearly empty. This is similar to how people charge their phones. That behaviour naturally fits well with smart tariffs like Intelligent Octopus Go.

Export Pricing and Why Flat Rates Are Changing

We also move into export tariffs and why the long-standing flat export rates are starting to fall. As more solar comes online, especially during peak generation hours, wholesale prices drop. That makes it harder to sustain high fixed export payments and pushes the market towards time-of-use export pricing instead.

How Solar, Batteries and the Grid Interact

A big part of the conversation is how home batteries and EVs are changing the system. Instead of exporting energy at the same time as everyone else, homes can store it and release it later when the grid needs it. That shift helps balance supply and demand and is becoming a key part of the future energy system.

What Flexibility Means for the Energy System

Alex explains his role around flexibility and electrification, which is essentially about balancing electricity supply and demand in a system increasingly dominated by renewables. Historically, this was done by turning power stations up and down. Now it can also be done by adjusting demand, such as when cars charge or homes heat.

EVs as Part of a Virtual Power Plant

One of the most interesting ideas in the episode is that large numbers of EVs connected through smart tariffs effectively act as a virtual power plant. Individually, each car is small. But when aggregated across hundreds of thousands of homes, they become a powerful tool for balancing the grid more cheaply and cleanly.

Fixed vs Variable Tariffs in a Volatile Market

We also discuss the difference between fixed and variable tariffs, especially in a volatile wholesale market. Fixed tariffs provide certainty but depend on forward pricing, while variable tariffs track changing costs more closely. The right choice depends on risk appetite and current market conditions.

Why Gas Still Drives Electricity Prices

A useful reminder in the episode is that gas still sets the price of electricity a large portion of the time in the UK. That is why prices can jump sharply when renewable generation drops. It also highlights why increasing renewable generation and flexibility is so important for long-term cost reduction.

Greener Days, Smart Charging and Behaviour Incentives

We also touch on initiatives like Greener Days, which encourage customers to shift usage towards times when renewable generation is high. Even small incentives can influence behaviour, especially when combined with cost savings.

Vehicle-to-Grid and the Future of Home Energy

Towards the end, we look ahead to vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and how EVs could play an even bigger role in the future. With bidirectional charging, cars can not only consume electricity but also send it back to the grid or power the home. Early trials and products are already emerging, and the potential scale is significant.

Final Thoughts: Smarter Tariffs and a Changing Energy System

The overall message from this episode is clear. Energy is becoming more dynamic. Smart tariffs like Intelligent Octopus Go are not just about cheap electricity, they are about using energy at the right time. As more homes electrify, this kind of flexibility will become more important, both for saving money and for supporting a cleaner grid.

About the Energy Unwrapped Podcast

Energy Unwrapped is my podcast about renewables, home electrification and how energy technology works in the real world. You can browse all episodes, platform links and future updates on the main Energy Unwrapped Podcast page.

If you find the episode useful, a like, subscribe or share makes a real difference. It helps the channel grow and helps more people find practical, independent energy content.