Octopus Go — Cheap Overnight EV Charging

Octopus Go is Octopus Energy's original EV tariff — the simpler sibling of Intelligent Octopus Go. It gives you a fixed cheap overnight window every night, typically 00:30–05:30, at a rate of around 8.5p/kWh. Outside the window, you pay the standard peak rate of approximately 27p/kWh.

There's no smart scheduling, no charger compatibility list, and no algorithm deciding when your car charges. You simply set a timer on your charger or in your car, and charge during the same five hours every night. The cheap rate applies to your whole home during the window — so dishwashers, washing machines, and storage heaters benefit too.

Like all Octopus tariffs, Go comes with 100% renewable electricity, no exit fees, and the customer service that's kept Octopus Which? Recommended for 9 years running.

Octopus Go suits any EV or plug-in hybrid owner — there's no compatible-charger requirement, which is its biggest advantage over Intelligent Go. It's a particularly good fit if:

• Your charger or car isn't on the Intelligent Go compatibility list — older wallboxes, untethered setups, or vehicles without API integration
• You charge on a 3-pin plug — granny-cable charging works perfectly with a fixed window
• You like a predictable schedule — the window is the same every night, so a simple timer covers it
• You want to run appliances overnight — the cheap rate applies to everything, not just the car

If you're new to EV ownership, our complete guide for EV owners walks through everything from home charging setups to picking the right tariff.

The short version: if your charger or car is compatible, Intelligent Octopus Go usually wins — a lower rate and a longer effective cheap period. If it isn't, or you simply prefer a fixed, predictable window with zero setup, Octopus Go is the better choice. And because there are no exit fees, you can start on Go and move to Intelligent Go later if you upgrade your charger.

The requirements are refreshingly short:

1. An electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid — Go is an EV tariff, so you'll need to own or lease one
2. A SMETS2 smart meter — required so Octopus can bill peak and off-peak usage separately. If you don't have one, Octopus installs it for free

That's it. No compatible charger, no vehicle API, no home survey. If you're not sure whether your meter qualifies, our smart meters guide explains how to check and what installation involves.

These figures are illustrative — rates vary by region and over time — but the pattern holds: charging in the cheap window costs roughly a third of charging at the standard rate. For a driver doing a couple of full charges a week, that adds up to hundreds of pounds per year. A 7kW home charger can add around 35kWh in the 5-hour window, comfortably covering most daily driving in a single night.

Joining Octopus Go is straightforward:

1. Switch to Octopus Energy using our referral link — you'll get £50 free credit added to your account
2. Get a smart meter if you don't already have one — Octopus installs SMETS2 meters for free
3. Request Octopus Go in your account or via the app once your supply is live
4. Set your charging timer for the overnight window and start saving

You'll be joining 7.3 million UK customers at a supplier rated 4.8/5 on Trustpilot from 779,000+ reviews — and because there are no exit fees on flexible tariffs, you're never locked in.