Intelligent Octopus Go: how it works, rates and eligibility
Octopus's smart EV tariff explained: the 23:30–05:30 off-peak window, smart charging at 6.5p/kWh, the variable and fixed versions, and who can get it.
- Checked 9 November 2026
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Quick answer
The Octopus Energy referral code is sepia-star-913: open https://share.octopus.energy/sepia-star-913 to use it. £50 credit each for a home, £75 for a business or charity (checked 9 November 2026). There's no code box at sign-up: the code is the end of the link, so open the link before you get a quote.
Intelligent Octopus Go is Octopus's smart EV tariff. You get 6 hours of cheap electricity for your whole home from 23:30 to 05:30, plus up to 6 hours of smart charging a day for your car, "from only 6.5p/kWh".
Eligibility: you must be an Octopus customer, with a compatible car or charger, a smart meter sending half-hourly readings, and the Octopus app (iOS 14+ / Android 7+).
Rates (London, Direct Debit, checked 9 November 2026): variable version 9.90p/kWh off-peak ("Intelligent Octopus Go", from 5 November) or 6.50p/kWh off-peak ("Intelligent Octopus Go Max"), no exit fee; 12-month fixed version 7.90p/kWh off-peak, £50 exit fee. Day rates and standing charges vary by region.
How to join as a new customer: Octopus switches you to Flexible Octopus first; once your switch is complete and your smart meter is connected, you move to Intelligent Octopus Go in the app. New to Octopus? See how the £50 referral link works with Intelligent Octopus Go.
Intelligent Octopus Go rates
| Version | Off-peak (p/kWh) | Day rate (p/kWh) | Standing charge (p/day) | Exit fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Octopus Go (variable, from 5 November 2026) | 9.90p | 34.16p | 42.56p | None |
| Intelligent Octopus Go Max (variable, from 29 October 2026) | 6.50p | 38.27p | 42.56p | None |
| Intelligent Octopus Go 12M Fixed (from 27 October 2026) | 7.90p | 38.89p | 42.56p | £50 |
How smart charging works
Plug in and set a target
Connect your EV or charger in the Octopus app. Plug in and tell it how much charge you need and by when.
Octopus schedules it
Octopus uses wholesale price signals to schedule charging in the cheapest half-hours, which Octopus says are often the greenest.
Billed at off-peak
Up to 6 hours of smart charging every 24 hours at the off-peak rate. If any slots fall outside 23:30–05:30, your whole home gets the cheap rate then too.
Bump when needed
Need charge now? A 'bump charge' starts immediately, billed at your day rate.
Off-peak window and rates
- Home off-peak: 23:30–05:30 every night (6 hours).
- Smart charging: up to 6 hours per 24 hours at the off-peak rate, at any time Octopus schedules it.
- Rate: smart charge eligible cars "from 6.5p/kWh". Day rates vary by region, so get a quote.
- Octopus claims up to 70% less than average price cap unit rates (6.5p vs 26.32p/kWh, October 2026 cap, Direct Debit, unit rates only; Octopus's own sum puts it at about 75%).
- Octopus says fixed Intelligent Octopus Go customers typically saved £771 (May 2025–April 2026) compared with Flexible Octopus. Your savings will vary.
Eligibility
- Be supplied by Octopus. New customers join on Flexible Octopus first.
- A compatible car or a compatible smart charger.
- A smart meter sending half-hourly readings (SMETS2 or Secure SMETS1).
- An iPhone (iOS 14+) or Android (7+) for the Octopus app.
- You can't join another flexibility service while on the tariff.
Compatible cars and chargers
Octopus says Intelligent Octopus Go works with over 280 cars and selected chargers, and in October 2026 it announced support for Andersen home chargers. Our compatible cars and chargers summary lists the brands Octopus's public device data showed as available on 2 November 2026. The list changes often, and Octopus says it can't guarantee compatibility, so confirm with the official checker: Intelligent Octopus Go: "Will it work for me?". If your car isn't supported, a supported smart charger can make it work. Octopus installs chargers from £949 including standard installation. Or use Octopus Go, which works with any EV.
Joining as a new Octopus customer
You can't join Intelligent Octopus Go directly: Octopus switches new customers to Flexible Octopus first, then helps you move once your switch is complete and your smart meter is connected. If you're switching anyway, the Intelligent Octopus Go referral link guide covers the £50 credit, the steps and the caveats.
Intelligent Octopus Go FAQ
What is the Intelligent Octopus Go off-peak window?
23:30 to 05:30 every night for your whole home. You also get up to 6 hours of smart charging every 24 hours at the off-peak rate. If any of it is scheduled outside 23:30–05:30, your whole home gets the off-peak rate during those slots too.
Which cars and chargers work with Intelligent Octopus Go?
Octopus keeps an official checker on its Intelligent Octopus Go page ('Will it work for me?'). Our dated summary of compatible cars and chargers lists the brands Octopus's public device data showed as available on 2 November 2026. The list changes often, and Octopus says it can't guarantee compatibility because manufacturers' specs and APIs change.
What is a bump charge?
If you need to charge straight away, the app's 'bump charge' button starts charging now. It's billed at your Intelligent Octopus Go day rate.
Is Intelligent Octopus Go fixed or variable, and is there an exit fee?
Octopus's public price data lists three versions. The variable version listed as "Intelligent Octopus Go" (from 5 November 2026) has no exit fee and a 9.90p/kWh off-peak rate in London. A variable version listed as "Intelligent Octopus Go Max" (from 29 October 2026) has no exit fee and a 6.50p/kWh off-peak rate, which is the "from 6.5p" figure Octopus's own page still advertises. The 12-month fixed version (from 27 October 2026) has a £50 exit fee and a 7.90p/kWh off-peak rate in London. Checked 9 November 2026.
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