Intelligent Octopus Go is the UK’s most popular EV tariff, but it only delivers its full 8p/kWh smart dispatch benefit with a compatible home charger or electric vehicle. This guide explains exactly which chargers are supported, how the Octopus API integration works, and what your options are if your current hardware is not on the list.
Why compatibility matters for Intelligent Octopus Go
Standard EV tariffs use a fixed overnight window — you set a timer on your car or charger, and the cheap rate applies during that block. Intelligent Octopus Go works differently: it uses Octopus’s Kraken platform to actively schedule charging within the overnight window by communicating directly with your smart charger or EV.
For this communication to happen, your charger or car must support the Octopus API. Without that integration, the smart dispatch cannot function. You can still benefit from a cheap overnight rate via Octopus Go (the fixed-window alternative at 9.5p/kWh), but you lose the smart scheduling that makes Intelligent Octopus Go valuable.
How the Octopus API integration works
When you connect your compatible charger or EV to Octopus’s Kraken platform, two things happen:
First, Octopus can read the state of your battery: how much charge you have, your current charging rate, and your target level.
Second, Octopus can instruct your charger or EV when to start and stop charging within the overnight window, based on your departure time setting and current grid conditions.
You set the departure time and target charge level in the Octopus app. The system then finds the cheapest slots within the overnight window (typically 11pm to 5am) and schedules charging automatically. You do not need to check the grid, set timers, or override defaults — the integration handles it.
Compatible smart chargers
The following home EV charger brands and models have confirmed Octopus API integration as of May 2026:
Ohme The Ohme Home Pro and Ohme ePod are among the most deeply integrated chargers on the platform. Ohme was designed around smart tariff integration from the ground up, and the Octopus pairing is seamless. The Ohme Home Pro is a strong choice for buyers specifically buying a charger for use with Intelligent Octopus Go.
Indra The Indra Smart Pro and Indra Smart Lux both support Intelligent Octopus Go. Indra is a UK-based manufacturer and OZEV-approved, making these chargers eligible for the EV chargepoint grant. See our Indra Smart Pro review for more detail.
Hypervolt The Hypervolt Home 3 Pro supports smart dispatch via its own platform integration with Octopus. The Home 3 Pro is a premium unit with strong build quality and a refined app.
MyEnergi Zappi The Zappi is particularly well suited to households with solar panels, but it also integrates with Intelligent Octopus Go for smart dispatch. The MyEnergi ecosystem requires pairing via the MyEnergi app before Octopus integration is active.
Easee The Easee One supports Intelligent Octopus Go. Easee is a Scandinavian brand with a distinctive design and a solid compatibility record across smart tariff platforms.
Andersen The Andersen A3 and Andersen Quartz both appear on the Octopus compatibility list. Andersen is a premium UK brand known for its design-led approach and hardwood finish options.
Pod Point The Pod Point Solo 3S supports Intelligent Octopus Go via the Pod Point platform. Pod Point is one of the UK’s largest charger installers and the Solo 3S is widely installed.
VCHRGD The VCHRGD Seven and Seven Pro are among the more affordable certified-compatible options, with the Seven Pro available from around £385.
Compatible electric vehicles
As well as charger-level integration, Intelligent Octopus Go supports vehicle-level smart dispatch for many current EV models. This means that even if your home charger is a basic unit, your car itself may be able to communicate with the Octopus platform.
Compatible EV brands include Tesla (most models), Volkswagen Group (Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, SEAT), Kia, Hyundai, BMW, Polestar, and Nissan (selected models). The Octopus website maintains a current list by car make and model.
Vehicle-level integration generally works through the car’s onboard connectivity and requires pairing your car’s account to the Octopus platform during setup.
What to do if your charger or EV is not compatible
If neither your home charger nor your EV is on the compatibility list, you have two main options:
Option 1: Switch to Octopus Go. Octopus Go offers a fixed overnight window (00:30–04:30) at 9.5p/kWh with no compatibility requirements beyond a SMETS2 smart meter. It works with any charger and any EV. You lose the smart dispatch of Intelligent Octopus Go and pay 1.5p/kWh more, but you still access a significantly cheaper overnight rate than a standard tariff.
Option 2: Upgrade your charger. If you are planning to replace an older or non-smart charger, choosing a compatible model from the list above lets you access Intelligent Octopus Go’s full 8p/kWh smart dispatch benefit from day one. There are no exit fees on either Octopus tariff, so you can start on Octopus Go today and switch to Intelligent Octopus Go once your new charger is installed.
Checking compatibility before switching
Octopus Energy provides a compatibility checker on their website. Enter your charger brand and model (or your EV make and model) to confirm whether smart dispatch is supported before committing to switch.
Compatibility can change over time as Octopus adds new devices and as manufacturers update their firmware. If your charger is on the list now, it is worth checking again periodically, particularly after major software updates to your charger or car.
For more on the tariff itself — rates, setup, and our full verdict — see our Intelligent Octopus Go review. To compare Intelligent Octopus Go against all other major UK EV tariffs, visit our EV tariffs comparison.
This page contains affiliate links. BestChargers.co.uk is an independent website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Octopus Energy. Referral bonus of up to £50 is subject to Octopus Energy terms and conditions.
How Octopus Energy compares
See how this tariff stacks up against the best alternatives.
| Tariff | Off-peak | Peak | Window | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Octopus Go Octopus Energy | 8p/kWh | 33.72p/kWh | Smart dispatch (typically 11pm–5am) | Switch |
| Intelligent Octopus Go Octopus Energy | 8p/kWh | 33.72p/kWh | Smart dispatch (11pm–5am) | View |
| Octopus Go Octopus Energy | 9.5p/kWh | 33.72p/kWh | 00:30–04:30 daily | View |
| Drive Smart E.ON Next | 8p/kWh | 26.35p/kWh | Smart dispatch (midnight–6am) | View |
Rates correct as of April 2026. Always check with providers before switching.
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