Octopus Intelligent Go
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Quick summary: Octopus Intelligent Go from Octopus Energy offers 7p/kWh off-peak during 11:30pm–5:30am (6 hours) and 31.64p/kWh at peak times. Works with any home charger. Best overall EV tariff.
Octopus Intelligent Go is widely regarded as the best EV tariff in the UK, and for good reason. It offers a guaranteed 6-hour off-peak window from 11:30pm to 5:30am at just 7p/kWh — roughly a quarter of the standard variable rate. But the real magic happens when you pair it with a compatible smart charger like the Ohme Home Pro: Octopus can grant additional off-peak slots throughout the day when wholesale prices are low, extending your cheap charging window well beyond the standard 6 hours.
Best for: EV owners who want the cheapest possible home charging rate with minimal effort. The combination of Intelligent Go and an Ohme charger is the gold standard for UK EV charging.
How It Works
When you sign up, Octopus connects to your EV via its vehicle API (Tesla, BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, and others are supported) or through a compatible smart charger. You set your departure time and desired charge level in the Octopus app, and the system automatically schedules charging during the cheapest periods. With a compatible charger like the Ohme Home Pro, the charger communicates directly with Octopus to request additional off-peak slots beyond the standard 6-hour window.
For Tesla owners specifically, the vehicle API integration means your Tesla communicates directly with Octopus — no special charger required. However, pairing with an Ohme charger unlocks the most aggressive off-peak scheduling.
Who It Suits
Intelligent Go is ideal for anyone who charges overnight at home. If you can plug in by 11:30pm and don't need your car until morning, you'll charge at 7p/kWh every single night. At that rate, a full Tesla Model 3 Long Range charge (75kWh battery, 20% to 100%) costs roughly £4.20 — compared to £16 at a public rapid charger. Over a year of typical driving (10,000 miles), that's around £200 in electricity versus £780 on a standard tariff.
Cost Breakdown
| Scenario | Cost per full charge | Annual cost (10k miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Go off-peak (7p/kWh) | ~£4.20 | ~£200 |
| Standard variable (~24.5p/kWh) | ~£14.70 | ~£700 |
| Public rapid charger (~50p/kWh) | ~£30.00 | ~£1,430 |
The savings are clear: switching from a standard tariff to Intelligent Go saves roughly £500 per year on EV charging alone. If you're currently relying on public chargers, the saving jumps to over £1,200.
Compatible Chargers
Intelligent Go works with any charger — you can use the standard 6-hour off-peak window with any home charger by scheduling via your car's app. However, to unlock the extended off-peak slots (where Octopus pushes extra cheap periods throughout the day), you need either vehicle API integration or an Ohme charger. The Ohme Home Pro is the officially recommended charger and gets the most aggressive off-peak allocation. The Tesla Wall Connector works well too — just schedule charging to start at 11:30pm via the Tesla app.
For our ranked list of chargers that integrate with Intelligent Go, see the best smart EV charger guide. To see exactly how this tariff compares on cost per mile, explore the UK EV Charging Cost Index.
Rate Breakdown
Tariff Details
Pros
- ✓Cheapest EV rate in the UK at 7p/kWh off-peak
- ✓6-hour guaranteed off-peak window every night
- ✓Extra off-peak slots via Ohme charger or vehicle API
- ✓Tesla vehicle API integration — no special charger needed
- ✓Widely considered the gold standard for UK EV charging
Cons
- ✕Requires a smart meter (free to install via Octopus)
- ✕Peak rate of 31.64p/kWh is above the price cap rate
- ✕Standing charge of 47.7p/day is average
- ✕Best savings require overnight charging discipline
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