Intelligent Octopus Go is the UK’s most popular EV electricity tariff and the benchmark against which all smart home charging deals are measured. It offers an 8p/kWh off-peak rate with smart dispatch, which means your car and smart charger negotiate with Octopus’s Kraken platform to find the cheapest available slots within the overnight window, without you having to set a timer.
This review covers everything you need to know: how smart dispatch works, current rates, which chargers and EVs are compatible, and whether Intelligent Octopus Go is the right tariff for your situation.
How smart dispatch works
Unlike fixed-window tariffs where you set a timer and charge during a defined block, Intelligent Octopus Go uses Octopus’s Kraken technology to schedule your charging automatically within a guaranteed overnight window (typically 11pm to 5am).
You set two things in the Octopus app: your target state of charge and your departure time. The Kraken platform then analyses grid conditions, wholesale electricity prices, and renewable generation within that window to identify the cheapest available slots and instructs your charger or EV to charge at those moments.
The result is that your car charges when electricity is cheapest and cleanest, not just during any fixed block. This is particularly valuable on nights when renewable generation is high and grid demand is low.
What Intelligent Octopus Go costs
The off-peak rate is 8p/kWh, applying during the smart dispatch window. The peak (daytime) rate is 33.72p/kWh and the standing charge is 53p/day.
Both rates apply to your whole home during the overnight window, not just your EV. Running your washing machine, dishwasher, or any other appliance overnight also benefits from the 8p rate.
A typical 60kWh EV battery costs around £4.80 to charge from empty at the 8p rate, compared to roughly £15 at a standard variable tariff — a saving of over £10 per full charge.
Which chargers are compatible?
For smart dispatch to work, Intelligent Octopus Go requires either a compatible smart home charger or a compatible electric vehicle. Octopus maintains a current compatibility list on their website, updated as new devices are certified.
Compatible smart chargers include: Ohme Home Pro, Ohme ePod, Indra Smart Pro, Indra Smart Lux, Hypervolt Home 3 Pro, MyEnergi Zappi, Easee One, Andersen A3, Andersen Quartz, Pod Point Solo 3S, and VCHRGD Seven Pro.
Compatible electric vehicles include models from: Tesla, Volkswagen Group (VW, Audi, Skoda), Kia, Hyundai, BMW, Polestar, Nissan, and others. Check Octopus’s current list before purchasing hardware specifically for Intelligent Octopus Go.
If your charger or car is not on the list, Octopus Go remains available at 9.5p/kWh with no compatibility requirements.
What a SMETS2 smart meter involves
Both Octopus tariffs require a SMETS2 smart meter. Octopus Energy will arrange a free installation if you do not already have one, though availability varies by region and some areas have longer wait times.
If you have an older SMETS1 meter, Octopus can advise on whether it is compatible or whether an upgrade is required before switching.
The Octopus app
The Octopus app is consistently rated best-in-class for EV tariff management in the UK. You can view half-hourly consumption data, see charging sessions broken out from household electricity use, track carbon intensity, and manage your departure time and charge target from your phone.
Octopus also operates the Electroverse public charging network, giving customers access to over 300,000 charge points across the UK and Europe. Public charging sessions can be billed to your Octopus account or paid separately via the Electroverse card.
When to consider a different tariff
Intelligent Octopus Go suits most UK EV drivers well, particularly those with or planning to install a compatible smart charger. The combination of smart dispatch, competitive rate, zero-carbon electricity, and excellent app makes it the most rounded package available.
However, the 33.72p/kWh peak rate is higher than EDF GoElectric (25.66p/kWh) and E.ON Next Drive Smart (26.35p/kWh). If your household uses significant electricity during the day — because someone works from home, for instance — a tariff with a lower peak rate may deliver better overall annual value even with a slightly higher overnight rate.
Compare all current options on our EV tariffs comparison page before switching.
This page contains affiliate links. BestChargers.co.uk is an independent website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Octopus Energy. Recommendations are based on our own research and editorial judgement. 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 |
| Drive Smart E.ON Next | 8p/kWh | 26.35p/kWh | Smart dispatch (midnight–6am) | View |
| GoElectric Overnight EDF Energy | 6.99p/kWh | 25.66p/kWh | 00:00–07:00 daily | View |
| Octopus Go Octopus Energy | 9.5p/kWh | 33.72p/kWh | 00:30–04:30 daily | View |
Rates correct as of April 2026. Always check with providers before switching.
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