Octopus Intelligent Go – Cheap Overnight EV Tariff

Intelligent Octopus Go in Plain English

If you’re new to Octopus tariffs, here’s the simple version:

• Intelligent Octopus Go gives you a cheap overnight rate for charging your EV.

• You tell the Octopus app when you want your car ready, and it automatically schedules charging at the lowest-cost, greenest times.

• You always get at least six hours of cheap electricity overnight (typically 23:30–05:30), with extra bonus cheap slots when the grid has surplus renewable power.

• The result? Lower bills, less hassle, and cleaner charging compared to standard tariffs.

If that’s all you need, you already know the basics. If you want more detailed information — savings, comparisons, eligibility, and how it all works — read on.

Reading Guide

This article about Intelligent Go is a comprehensive read, drawing on both data and hands-on testing.

Use the Table of Contents below to jump straight to the questions that matter most — or scroll through at your own pace.

Intelligent Go Tariff and Variable Pricing

Intelligent Go offers both fixed and variable tariffs for electric vehicle owners:

Variable Tariff Pricing Snapshot

Headline variable tariff prices as of 1st August 2025—actual prices fluctuate with wholesale rates.

Prices can change in line with wholesale pricing. For detailed regional prices, see the individual region pages below

Intelligent Go UK Pricing by Region

Explore detailed regional pricing via our 14 UK DNO (district network operator) pages:

Eastern England
East Midlands
London
Merseyside and Northern Wales
North Eastern England
North Western England
Northern Scotland
Southern England
South Eastern England
Southern Wales
South Western England
Southern Scotland
West Midlands
Yorkshire

Half hour pricing for the last 7 days (Eastern England)

Eligibility & Onboarding: Smart Meter, Compatibility, Referral Path

To sign up for Intelligent Octopus Go, you’ll need:

• An Octopus Energy electricity supply (domestic tariff).

• A smart meter with half-hourly readings enabled.

• A compatible EV or charger (check the latest supported list on Octopus’ website).

• The Octopus Energy app (iOS or Android) to set your “ready by” times and manage charging.

👉 New to Octopus? You can join Octopus using my referral link and claim £50 of free credit.

You’ll usually start on a standard tariff while your account and smart meter are onboarded, then switch to Intelligent Octopus Go once setup is complete.

How Intelligent Go Works

Automatic charging

Plug in your EV when you get home, set your “charge to add” and “ready by” time in the Octopus App, and Intelligent Go schedules charging automatically. Your EV will be ready the next morning, ready for the time you specified.

Note: If you manually start charging outside these scheduled slots (“by using the bump charge button”), electricity used may be charged at the standard rate, rather than the off-peak rate.

EV Battery Size Matters

Extra slots are usually added if your EV charging requirement exceeds 42 kWh (6 hours × 7 kW charger speed). But sometimes you may get extra slots outside of the core hours even if you only need a smaller amount of charging.

It’s best not to second-guess the Octopus system—just plug in your car, set the ready time and charge needed in the Octopus App, and let Intelligent Go handle the schedule.

All of this is powered by Octopus’ Kraken platform — the same optimisation engine used by energy companies worldwide to balance supply and demand

Why Some Off-Peak Slots Fall Outside Standard Hours

Slots outside the core window (11:30 pm – 5:30 am) can occur when:

• Your overnight charging requirement is larger than 42 kWh

• The grid has excess renewable energy

• Your region has lower overall demand during that time

Any additional slots outside of the core window are charged at the off-peak rate, but only for periods when your EV is actively drawing power for part of the 30-minute billing period.

Household Benefits

Your entire home benefits from cheap rates during the core overnight hours (11:30 pm – 5:30 am), even if the EV isn’t charging. Extra slots beyond the core hours are only billed at the discounted rate if the EV is actively charging for part of the half-hour period. If no charging occurs during these extra slots, the standard rate applies.

Savings with Intelligent Go

Switching to Intelligent Octopus Go isn’t just about convenience — it’s about serious cost reductions. By charging during the six-hour off-peak window (typically 23:30–05:30), electricity is far cheaper than on a standard tariff, and dramatically cheaper than petrol.

Electricity Tariff Savings

A typical EV driver covering 8,000–9,000 miles per year can save £400–£600 annually versus a standard electricity tariff. Compared to Octopus Go, Intelligent Go often works out cheaper because of the lower off-peak unit rate and smart bonus slots.

Petrol vs EV Cost Comparison (Annual & Per-Mile)

• Driving 8,800 miles in a petrol car (40 mpg, £1.50/litre) costs around £1,660 per year.

• The same mileage in an EV charged on a standard tariff (30p/kWh) costs about £630.

• On Intelligent Go (7.5p/kWh off-peak), the cost drops to just £132.

This makes petrol more than 10× more expensive per mile than charging overnight on Intelligent Go.

Cost Assumptions

These figures are based on:

• Petrol car efficiency of 40 mpg at a pump price of £1.50/litre.

• EV consumption of 0.30 kWh per mile.

• Electricity costs of 30p/kWh (standard tariff) and 7.5p/kWh (Intelligent Go off-peak).

Frequently Asked Questions About Savings

How much cheaper is Intelligent Go than petrol?
Charging an EV on Intelligent Go can make driving more than 10× cheaper per mile compared to petrol. For example, driving 8,800 miles costs around £1,660 in petrol, but only about £132 on Intelligent Go.

What’s the cost per mile with Intelligent Go?
On Intelligent Go, the cost per mile is about 1.5p, based on an average EV using 0.30 kWh per mile and the off-peak rate of 7.5p/kWh. That compares to roughly 7.2p per mile on a standard tariff and nearly 19p per mile for petrol.

Do savings depend on how many miles you drive?
Yes. The more miles you cover each year, the more you benefit. A low-mileage driver might only save a few hundred pounds compared to petrol, while a high-mileage driver could save £1,400+ annually.

Virtual Power Plant (VPP): Grid Flexibility & Carbon Benefits

Intelligent Octopus Go isn’t just a smart EV tariff—it also functions as the world’s largest virtual power plant (VPP).

According to Octopus Energy, the platform now includes more than 200,000 customers and is compatible with over 280 EV and charger models. It’s also expanding to batteries and smart thermostats, with deployments in the UK, Germany, the USA, and New Zealand.

Together, these devices store enough energy to match half a nuclear power station, with the potential to power major cities like Birmingham and Leeds:
https://octopus.energy/blog/The-growth-of-Intelligent-Octopus/

Why It Matters

• Absorbing excess renewables – On windy nights or sunny days, Intelligent Go can automatically shift charging to soak up renewable surpluses, avoiding wasted green energy.

• Easing peak strain – During high-demand evenings, charging is delayed or throttled, helping the grid without users lifting a finger.

• User simplicity, grid stability – Customers get ultra-cheap, green charging, while the grid benefits from automated demand response:
  https://octopus.energy/blog/smart-tariffs-are-good-for-all/

By shifting EV charging into renewable-heavy hours, Intelligent Go reduces reliance on fossil-fuel peaker plants. That means lower bills for drivers and lower carbon emissions for the grid.

Grid Impact Snapshot

Extra Cheap Slots – Real World Example

Sunny and Windy Days May Lead to Extra Slots

Intelligent Go is designed to take advantage of times when the grid has an abundance of renewable energy.

On particularly sunny or windy days, you may see additional off-peak charging slots scheduled outside the core window (11:30 pm – 5:30 am).

For example, if you plug in your EV on a sunny, windy afternoon, Intelligent Go can automatically add extra slots. In the screenshot from the Octopus Energy app, extra slots were provided between 13:07 and 17:00.

These slots would have been charged at the discounted off-peak rate, as long as the EV is actively charging for at least part of the 30-minute billing period (see FAQ Q11 for full details).

These extra slots aren’t guaranteed, but when conditions are right there’s a good chance you’ll get them—so it’s always worth plugging in if the conditions look favourable.

Get Insights from Octopus Agile Tariff

One way to anticipate these periods is by checking the Octopus Agile tariff.

Agile pricing follows the underlying wholesale cost of electricity, so when wholesale prices are low, Intelligent Go often schedules extra cheap slots at the same time.

Here’s an example of Agile pricing on Monday 4th August 2025, highlighting how a sunny, windy afternoon could have been the perfect time for extra discounted charging on Intelligent Go.

For daily updates on Agile and other Octopus Energy smart tariffs, follow @energystatsuk on Twitter/X, Bluesky, Mastodon, and Instagram.

Who Can Benefit Beyond EV Owners?

• Heat pump owners: Move hot water runs to off-peak slots to save even more, as detailed in The Heat Pump Hot Water Golden Rules.

• Solar/battery owners: Maximise self-consumption of renewable energy using off-peak slots to charge your batteries, illustrated in Whole House Running Costs and Stats 2024.

Although designed for EV owners, this electric vehicle tariff also benefits households with heat pumps or solar/batteries.

EV and Charger Compatibility

Intelligent Octopus Go is compatible with a wide range of electric vehicles (EVs) and chargers, but compatibility depends on both the car and the charger. Octopus Energy can directly communicate with over 280 EV and charger models, and they are constantly expanding this list.

EV Compatibility

Intelligent Octopus Go can directly control charging for many EVs, including select models from Audi, BMW, Mini, Renault, Tesla, and Volkswagen.

Charger Compatibility

Some chargers, such as Ohme and Zappi, are designed to work seamlessly with Intelligent Octopus Go. Other chargers can also be used, particularly if the EV itself allows charge scheduling via its own system.

Checking Compatibility

Always double-check your specific EV and charger on Octopus Energy’s website to ensure full compatibility. This ensures you can take full advantage of Intelligent Go’s automatic scheduling and off-peak rates.

For example, you may have a dumb wall charger but Octopus are able to talk directly to the EV instead to wake it up when it’s time to charge.

Whereas, if you have a compatible charger like an Ohme or a Zappi, then in theory you should be able to charge any EV as it’s the smart charger that Octopus is talking to.

If your charger and EV are not a compatible combination, you may need to consider the standard, non-smart Octopus Go EV tariff instead.

Greener Nights Forecast (formerly Greener Days)

In September 2025, Octopus rebranded their Greener Days forecast to Greener Nights, to better reflect the true time window covered by the raw API data (11PM–6AM).

This forecast shows which overnight periods are cleanest for charging, based on wind generation forecasts and grid carbon intensity. The greener the night, the higher the score.

What’s New?

• ✅ New name: Greener Nights (no longer “Greener Days”)

• ✅ Rewards: Intelligent Octopus customers can now earn Octopoints for shifting charging into greener nights:

  • 70% greener nights → 320 pts (~40p/month)

  • 80% greener nights → 640 pts (~80p/month)

  • 90% greener nights → 2800 pts (~£3.50/month, ~£42/year)

This means Intelligent Octopus users don’t just help reduce carbon emissions — you can now collect rewards too.

For full details and the daily charts, see my dedicated page:
👉 Octopus Greener Nights (formerly Greener Days)

Other Octopus Smart Tariffs & Export Options

Octopus Go — Fixed Off-Peak Window

A simpler EV tariff with a fixed off-peak charging window (typically 00:30–04:30). The off-peak rate is slightly higher than Intelligent Go, but it’s predictable and doesn’t rely on the Octopus app for scheduling. Good for EV drivers who want a straightforward, no-fuss overnight option or don’t have a device compatible with Intelligent.

Octopus Agile — Half-Hourly Wholesale Pricing (Plunge Pricing Possible)

Agile prices change every half hour, directly linked to the wholesale electricity market. At times of high renewable generation, prices can drop very low — and occasionally even go negative, creating “plunge pricing” events where customers get paid to use electricity. Agile suits tech-savvy users, households with smart appliances, or those with a home battery who can shift usage.

Octopus Tracker — Daily Wholesale-Linked Pricing

Tracker follows wholesale prices on a daily basis. Rates can be lower than the Ofgem price cap over time, but they do change every day. This tariff is ideal for customers who want long-term transparency and are comfortable with some volatility.

Octopus Cosy — Heat Pump Optimisation

Cosy is built for homes with heat pumps or electric heating. It provides two cheap off-peak windows each day, making it easier and more affordable to heat homes with low-carbon technology.

Octopus Flux — Solar & Battery Import/Export Optimisation

Flux is designed for households with solar PV and a home battery. It provides cheaper import rates during the day and higher export rates at peak times, helping solar homes maximise value by storing energy and selling it back when it’s worth more.

Export Tariffs (Outgoing Octopus)

If you generate your own electricity with solar panels (or have a battery), Octopus offers dedicated export tariffs that pay you for sending energy back to the grid:

Outgoing Fixed — Stable Export Payments

Pays a flat rate (currently around 15p/kWh) for every unit you export. Predictable and simple, great for households who want certainty.

Outgoing Agile — Variable Export Linked to Wholesale Prices

Export prices change every half hour, just like Agile on the import side. Returns can be higher during peak demand periods, but are more variable. This tariff works well for solar and battery households who want to maximise export income.

Which Tariff is Right for You?

• EV drivers → Intelligent Octopus Go (smartest and cheapest overnight charging).

• Simple EV charging → Octopus Go (predictable window, no app needed).

• Tech enthusiasts or battery owners → Agile or Flux.

• Price-watchers → Tracker (daily link to wholesale markets).

• Heat pump households → Cosy.

• Solar panel owners → Outgoing Fixed (stable income) or Outgoing Agile (higher but variable returns).

👉 For a full breakdown of all Octopus smart tariffs, with current pricing and regional variations, see my detailed comparison here:
https://energy-stats.uk/octopus-energy-smart-tariffs-pricing/

FAQ – Octopus Intelligent Go

Can I save on my home with this Octopus EV tariff even when the car isn’t charging?

Yes. Intelligent Octopus Go applies its cheap overnight rate (typically 23:30–05:30) to all your household electricity usage, not just the EV.

Why do some off-peak slots fall outside the standard window?

Extra slots appear when your EV requires a large charge, or when the grid has excess renewable generation and low demand.

What makes Intelligent Octopus Go different from plain Octopus Go?

Octopus Go has a fixed 4-hour cheap window (00:30–04:30). Intelligent Go uses smart scheduling, compatible EVs or chargers, and the Octopus app to optimise charging, and can add extra slots when renewables are abundant.

How much can I save, and how is pricing calculated?

Driving 8,800 miles costs about £1,660 in petrol, £630 on a standard tariff, or just £132 on Intelligent Go. That makes it over 10× cheaper per mile than petrol. Assumptions: 40 mpg at £1.50/litre, 0.30 kWh/mile EV efficiency, 30p/kWh standard and 7.5p/kWh off-peak.

What’s the EV cost per mile on Intelligent Octopus Go?

About 1.5p per mile (based on 0.30 kWh/mile at 7.5p/kWh off-peak). By comparison: ~7.2p per mile on a standard tariff and ~18.9p per mile for petrol.

How does Intelligent Go decide the charging schedule?

Scheduling is managed by Octopus’ Kraken platform, which considers your EV battery size, charge target, ready-by time, and grid conditions to allocate the cheapest and greenest slots.

How do I know if my EV is actively charging for half-hour billing?

If your EV draws power in any part of a 30-minute block, all electricity in that block is billed at the off-peak rate.

Can I compare Intelligent Go to other tariffs like Agile or Tracker?

Yes. Intelligent Go is one of several smart tariffs from Octopus, alongside Agile, Tracker, Cosy, Flux, and Outgoing export tariffs. A full comparison is here: https://energy-stats.uk/octopus-energy-smart-tariffs-pricing/

Is Intelligent Go the best EV tariff for overnight charging?

For most EV drivers, yes. It combines the lowest overnight rate with smart scheduling and bonus slots, and works well with solar and batteries in fully electric homes.

Is my EV and charger compatible with Intelligent Go?

It supports many popular EVs (Audi, BMW, Mini, Renault, Tesla, Volkswagen, etc.) and chargers like Ohme and Zappi. Always check Octopus’ official compatibility list for your setup.

Can I use Intelligent Octopus Go without an EV?

No, it’s only available if you have a compatible EV or smart charger. However, once you qualify, the cheap overnight rate applies to all your home electricity use.

How does Intelligent Octopus Go work with solar panels and batteries?

It pairs well with home solar and battery systems. You can charge your battery during cheap off-peak hours and store your own solar power, reducing reliance on peak-rate electricity.

What happens if my EV or charger isn’t compatible?

You’ll need a supported EV or charger to join Intelligent Go. If not, you can still apply for other Octopus smart tariffs like Go or Agile.

How do I switch to Intelligent Octopus Go?

You can switch through the Octopus Energy app or website. Once your EV or charger is verified as compatible, Octopus will migrate your account to the tariff.

Is Intelligent Octopus Go cheaper than Octopus Go in 2025?

In most cases, yes. Intelligent Go gives you the same or better overnight rate, plus the chance of extra off-peak slots, while standard Go is fixed to a 4-hour window.

What’s new with Greener Nights and Octopoints for Intelligent Octopus customers?

In September 2025, Octopus rebranded Greener Days to Greener Nights, focusing on the overnight window (11PM–6AM). If you’re on Intelligent Octopus, you can now earn Octopoints rewards for shifting most of your charging into these greener nights.

• 70% greener nights → 320 Octopoints (~40p/month)

• 80% greener nights → 640 Octopoints (~80p/month)

• 90% greener nights → 2800 Octopoints (~£3.50/month, ~£42/year)

It’s not a huge cash saving, but it’s a nice bonus — and it encourages cleaner, more sustainable charging.

How do I sign up for Greener Nights while on Intelligent Octopus Go?

If you’re on Intelligent Octopus Go, you can sign up for Greener Nights directly through your Octopus Energy account. Visit the Greener Nights page, log in, and follow the steps.

You’ll need:

• A smart meter with half-hourly readings enabled

• An active Intelligent Octopus Go tariff

• To not already be enrolled in PowerUps

Once registered, your Greener Nights forecast will appear in your account, and you can start earning Octopoints rewards for charging on greener nights.