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Octopus Energy Intelligent Tariff 

At the click of a button, the Intelligent Octopus tariff will charge your EV when energy is at its cheapest and greenest. 

The Intelligent Octopus tariff is the latest Octopus Energy electric vehicle tariff on the market. It gives electric vehicle owners a minimum of 6 hours of super-cheap electricity every night at 10p per kWh. In some ways, the Intelligent Octopus tariff is a mash-up of both the Octopus Go and Octopus Agile tariffs combined! 🌍 It is a groundbreaking tariff that could help transform the national grid. Could you be a part of it?

Octopus Energy is taking on new customers. You can now get an online quote and switch just by answering a few questions online.

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Why is the Intelligent Octopus so exciting?

The national grid was built and is based on providing us with energy on demand. As the uptake of electric vehicles, air source heat pumps and all things electrical move forward so does our need for more electricity. The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) forecasts that total yearly energy demand will roughly double. In order to accommodate large items that draw on the National Grid, such as a 7 kWh EV charger, we need to rethink how demand can be balanced.

The intelligent Octopus tariff is a beta tariff that is leading the way. It is more than a time-of-use tariff. It is an intelligent tariff that can use excess energy when it is in abundance. Octopus can turn your EV charger off and on remotely.  All you need to do is plug in, select the percentage of charge you need and by when and Octopus will take care of the rest.

You can read more about how the beta tariffs like the Intelligent Octopus tariff can help shape the future of energy in the Octopus blog post from 30th August 2022.

How much does the Octopus Energy Intelligent Tariff cost per kWh?

The Intelligent Octopus tariff, like Octopus Go, provides an off-peak energy tariff for charging your electric vehicle at night. On Intelligence Octopus you will be charged a unit price of 10p per kWh for electricity between 11.30 pm and 5.30 am. Outside these times you will have a standard electricity fixed tariff which varies depending on your geographical location within the UK. In my region, this would be 42.17p per kWh. It’s now a variable tariff.

Like Octopus Go, Intelligent Octopus is a fixed rate energy tariff with a discount period but instead of having 4 discount hours the new Octopus electric vehicle tariff, that is Intelligent Octopus offers 6 hours of off-peak charging.

So just to be perfectly clear (because it does cause confusion) the 6 hours of core off-peak electricity is available between 11.30 pm and 5.30 am 365 days of the year on the intelligent tariff. This does NOT change and the whole house gets the discounted rate.

It doesn’t stop there!!  By linking your electric vehicle or your EV charger to the Intelligence Octopus app you could get even more hours discounted at the off-peak rate.

The Intelligent Octopus app works out when energy is at the cheapest and greenest and if that’s outside your off-peak window it will ask your car to charge then BUT only charge you 10p per kWh! You will also retain your 6 off-peak hours so you can use appliances such as the dishwasher or washing machine at 10p per kWh too. How cool is that?!

What’s the catch – 6 hours plus of electricity at 10p per kWh for charging your electric vehicle?🙋‍♀️

Well, there is a catch with the intelligent Octopus tariff. You will have to tick all the boxes to get on this new beta tariff. You will need either a compatible EV OR a compatible EV charger plus any device that can run the Octopus iOS or Andriod app. The list of compatible EVs and chargers is expected to expand in 2023.

octopus energy rating

Energy prices were already on the rise and then when Russia invaded Ukraine energy prices went to another level!  It’s yet another reason why we need to increase our own homegrown green energy supply in the UK so we aren’t so reliant on other countries.🥺😢💚

There may be some validity in switching if you have a smart meter and want to sign up for one of the Octopus smart tariffs, like Octopus Go or Intelligent Octopus. (It’s still a really great tariff if you own an EV. Where else will you get 10p a kWh?) You can’t sign up for a smart tariff on the Octopus website. You’ll have to call and go on an interim fixed tariff first. Please read all the information below and take on the advice given by Octopus. Let’s hope this all ends really soon!!💚🥺🤯

Existing Octopus Energy customers can also switch to the Intelligent tariff via the Octopus IOS or Andriod app. This is the method I used to switch to the Intelligent tariff. I found it easier as you can complete the test charge within the signup process within the app.

Has the Intelligent Octopus increased in price over the last 12 months?

Yes, on the 14th of October, the Intelligent Octopus tariff increased from 7.5p per kWh off-peak to 10p per kWh off-peak. The daytime rate increased from 40.04p per kWh to 42.17p per kWh. The standing charge went down slightly..

How does Intelligent Octopus work?

Octopus Energy will connect to your car or charging equipment through the Octopus app. After completing the initial set up it’s all relatively straightforward. 

  • Plug your EV in and tell the app when you need your EV next and the percentage of charge you require.
  • If you are all set to charge before 5 pm Octopus will tell you your charge schedule around 5 pm. This will appear in the Octopus app. 
  • If you plug in after 5 pm a schedule will be created at this time.

The great thing about this tariff is that if Octopus decides to schedule your charge before the 11.30 pm off-peak time you will get these time slots at the off-peak rate of 10p per kWh too. The same rate is also applied to any other electricity used within the home during these times!👏 

While your EV is plugged in Octopus will make sure you charge when electricity is at its cheapest, and greenest on the national grid.

You can bump start charging from the app if you need to charge during the day. (This will be at the standard electricity price rather than off-peak)

You will need;

  • A smart meter we can connect to (either a SMETS2 or Secure SMETS1)
  • A compatible EV or EV charger.
  • Any iOS or Android device. (You need the Octopus app)

What are the benefits of the Intelligent Octopus tariff?

  • Reduce your overall energy bill. It is anticipated that you could around £100 compared to Octopus Go.
  • Decrease your environmental impact.
  • Make your home energy work smarter for you and the planet.🌍

During the 6 hours off-peak period not only can you get your washing machine or dishwasher on at a reduced rate but you can set your car to charge when it is going to use the least CO2 even if that is outside your 6-hour off-peak window!  Plus you won’t pay any more than 10p per kWh!! Beep, beep!!!! 🚘🌍💚

@sarah_go_green If you have an #electricvehicle you can #savemoney on #energybills by getting cheap off-peak electricity while charging. Its a great #octopus ♬ original sound – sarah_go_green


Here’s a quote from 31st March 2023.  You can check the most up-to-date rates for the Intelligent Octopus tariff on the Octopus website. Prices may vary slightly in different geographical locations.

Compare Intelligent Octopus
Tariff
Electricity per kWh42.17p
Discount 6 hours 23.30 to 05.30 🚘10.0p 👀
Standing charge per day 47.61p

Does the electricity discounted rate end after my electric car is charged?

No, you get the full 6 hours of off-peak electricity at 10p per kWh every night regardless if you schedule a  charge or not!

Can I still switch to the Octopus Intelligent Tariff if I have two electric vehicles?

Yes, you can still switch to the Octopus Intelligent tariff if you have two electric vehicles BUT you only charge one using smart charging. The other you simply charge during the off-peak window which is 11.30 pm to 5.30 am the same as you would do, as an example, on Octopus Go.

Do I need to get all my family to switch their energy use to benefit from Octopus Intelligent?

In a recent survey by Ofgem, most electric vehicle owners stated that they hadn’t made any changes to how they use their electricity at home. The assumption seemed to be that to fully benefit from the switch to an intelligent tariff the whole household needs to modify their energy use. 🤯 With Octopus Intelligent this isn’t the case! Even if your kids don’t act that intelligently sometimes 😂

Energy Prices 31/03/2023
Octopus Flexible Tariff -EPG average price (Electricity) 01/04/2023 to 30/06/2023Intelligent Octopus Tariff. (Electricity)
43.36p per kWh42.17p per kWh (05.30 - 00.30)
17.30p per kWh off-peak Eco 7.10.0p per kWh off-peak. (23.30 - 05.30)
52.28p per day Standing Charge 47.61p per day Standing charge.
🌟🎉🥁🚘 #winner

The numbers really speak for themselves. The Octopus Intelligent tariff with its 10p slot is just unbeatable! 🎄🤶🏻

What if I want to plug in my car and just get it charged as quickly as possible?

Octopus has this under control too. You can schedule a Bump Charge through the Intelligent Octopus app, which will start the car charging immediately. For this, you will be charged the unit rate at the time. If it’s during your off-peak window you will be charged 10p/kWh for Bump Charging or your local day unit rate outside of these hours.

Is there an Octopus Intelligent Gas Tariff?

No, the Octopus Intelligent tariff is simply for your electricity but you can pick a standard Octopus gas Tariff to sit alongside your Intelligent electricity tariff. The Octopus flexible tariff is capped by the Energy Price Guarantee and so would be an ideal interim tariff.

How do you switch to Octopus Intelligent Tariff?

As a new customer, you’ll simply have to switch to Octopus Energy and select an interim tariff before making your switch to Octopus Intelligence. As a new customer, you have to sign up for a nonsmart tariff when you switch. It’s then a case of moving from your interim tariff to your chosen smart tariff, such as Intelligent Octopus.

  1. Switch to Octopus Energy. (This usually takes around 17 days)
  2. Octopus must be satisfied that they are receiving half-hourly readings from your smart meter. (This usually happens within 14 days but could take longer.octopus energy smart meter
  3. You can then switch to Intelligent Octopus once you have confirmed all your equipment is compatible. (This is a new beta tariff so it may be a little more tweaking)
  4. You’ll need to download the Octopus IOS or Andriod app and register your EV or EV charger.

You can check on your Octopus Energy dashboard to see if half-hourly readings are being received.

If you haven’t got a smart meter it’s a case of switching, requesting a smart meter, and waiting for an installation date to become available in your area. You’ll need a Secure SMETS1 (Secure is a brand name and it’s written on the front of the meter) or a SMETS2 smart meter to switch to any of the Octopus smart tariffs

Get a quote and find more information on signing up for Octopus Intelligent HERE.

How can I tell if I have a SMETS2 smart meter already?

Look out for ‘GUID’ or a Device ID which looks like this: AA-BB-CC-DD-EE-FF-00-GG-ZZ on the front of the meter.  If you can see a number like this it is a good indication you have a SMETS2 meter

Take your first step towards cheaper EV charging.↓🚘🥳

Ready to make the switch? Simply pick your interim tariff and contact Octopus Energy to get your smart meter installed or checked. Following half-hourly meter readings, you will be ready to switch to Intelligent Octopus.

All traditional and smart tariffs are available to new customers. Yes, you can switch to Octopus Energy using the link below. For any smart / tracker tariffs, you will have to sign up for the Octopus Flexible tariff first and then when the switch is complete ask to be moved to the smart or tracker tariff. It can sometimes take a little time as Octopus needs to make sure they are receiving readings from your smart meter.

The prices below are correct as of 31st March 2023. They will vary depending on where you live in the country.


Once you have entered a few short questions you will be given a quote. I have circled the price per kWh below.  The prices will change slightly on the 1st of April 2023 You can then make the switch with just a few short clicks.

quote octopus energy

Is there a specific Intelligent Octopus App?

No, when you switch to the Intelligent tariff you’ll be asked to run a test charge in the Octopus Energy IOS app or Andriod App. Once the test charge has been successfully completed you will see an extra icon at the bottom of the Octopus Energy app marked “devices”. From here you can set your charging requirements ie how much charge you need and by when.  After 5 pm your charging schedule will be displayed on this page.

 Tips I have picked up since switching to the Intelligent Tariff.

I have now switched to the Intelligent tariff.  I haven’t been on the tariff very long but what I have learned is that you do need to tweak something to make sure everything works as expected.

  • Make sure you cancel ALL charging schedules both in your EV and your home charger.
  • Put your home charger in dumb mode. On the MyEnergi Zappi, this is the Fast mode.
  • In your Tesla app pause charging once you have plugged in. Octopus will unpause the charge when your schedule starts. I found that my Tesla started charging as soon as I plugged in and even though Octopus says it should stop within 15 minutes I would prefer not to charge at all during peak times.
  • Once your charge is complete in the morning turn off smart charging within the Octopus app. You shouldn’t have to do this but there’s a glitch that keeps the car awake and causes the battery to drain more than it should. Just toggle off smart charging in the Octopus app when you have finished charging and turn it on when you plugin.
  • If you are not sure ask! Octopus has been very responsive on Twitter when I have raised questions about charging. Any problems have been resolved very quickly.

You can read my customer review of the Intelligent tariff and pick-up tips in my recent blog post.

Where to find additional information.

Intelligent Octopus is advertised on the Octopus Energy website you will struggle to find information in many reviews. This is because the tariff is so new.  Lots of existing customers have a great rate on Octopus go which they signed up to and fixed before the price rise.   You will find some chat about it on EV forums. Octopus never stops thinking of ways to save customers money! Ready to switch to Octopus? You can email [email protected] or [email protected] for further information if you still have specific questions on the tariff.

There’s no getting around it switching to Intelligent Octopus does take a little more time than a standard tariff but it’s providing worthwhile.

Here’s what Octopus has to say.

Intelligent Octopus is a beta product. If you’re OK that some things may not work the first time, that installations and processes may take longer than we’d like, and that on occasion data issues with smart meters can take significant time to fix or prevent things from working at all, but that you’d like to work with us to make world-changing energy tariffs a reality, check this box so we know you’re on board. You will always be able to switch to one of our fairly priced standard tariffs at any time.

Can I integrate Intelligent Octopus with Home Assistant?

Yes, you can integrate Intelligent Octopus with Home Assistant. This article on GitHub should help you get going.

Will I get paid for exporting my solar energy with Intelligent Octopus?

No, the Octopus Energy website has recently been updated and states, ” At this point in Early Access, we can’t offer a Smart Export Guarantee with Intelligent Octopus.”

Why is the Intelligent tariff a good alternative to Octopus Agile?

Yes, the Intelligent tariff offers 6 hours of off-peak charging with the chance of more discounted slots. If Octopus decides to charge your EV outside the hours of 11.30 pm to 5.30 pm then you get these at 10p per kWh too as does the rest of the house. Plus Octopus takes control. You don’t need to check when it’s the cheapest or greenest time to charge Octopus does it all for you. It’s a beta tariff so then can be the odd hiccup but to date, its be fairly hassle-free!

Why did I switch to the Intelligent Octopus tariff?

My own smart tariff was due to end in May 2022. I was on Octopus Go Faster.  It took number crunching but I decided to switch to the Intelligent Octopus tariff.  I wanted to secure the 30p peak rate and 7.5p off-peak rate before prices increase. There’s been no indication from Octopus that the Go or Go Faster tariffs will increase in price but at the moment with prices rising so dramatically there is no saying what will happen. So I wanted to lock in the current deal for 12 months.

The current rates have increased since March when I switched to this tariff. The peak rate is now 42.17p per kWh and the standing charge increased in late March.  Thankfully even though the off-peak has gone it is still only 10p per kWh. On Octopus Go it is 12p per kWh!

You can read my full blog post on why I switched and any tips I picked up on the Octopus Intelligent tariff in my recent blog post.

If you are considering OVO Anytime which on the face of it looks similar please read my other blog post. There are quite a few differences between OVO Anytime and the Intelligent Octopus tariff.

Is the Intelligent tariff any good and is it easy to switch to?

I think the Intelligent Octopus app is a great merging of both Octopus Go and Octopus Agile. You get the secure off-peak prices at 10p per kWh BUT you can also let Octopus do its thing and help you get that energy when it’s at its cleanest and greenest. Plus you obviously get 2 more hours of off-peak charging at 10.0p per kWh compared to Octopus Go. Plus Octopus go is now 12p per kWh off-peak!

I started my switch by going onto the Octopus IOS app. I am an existing Octopus customer and it was very easy to switch tariffs online. There was an option to switch to the Intelligent tariff within the app and it was relatively straightforward. I had to answer a few questions to indicate the EV I have and the home charger that I use. I was then directed to plug my Tesla in to conduct a test charger. After a few minutes, I was all ready to go. 💚🛼

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