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Intelligent Octopus Go vs other UK EV tariffs
Intelligent Octopus Go is now from 6.5p per kWh for smart charging (Octopus page checked 31 October 2026), level with the cheapest headline rate we found. But the cheap hours, exit fees and whether your car works with the tariff matter just as much as price.
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The short version: Intelligent Octopus Go is the UK's best-known EV tariff, and at from 6.5p it now matches E.ON Next Drive Smart for the lowest headline rate we found, just under EDF GoElectric (6.66p). The difference between the cheapest EV tariffs is often under £50 a year, so the full quote matters more than the overnight rate.
We checked each supplier's own tariff page on 24 October 2026, and Octopus again on 31 October 2026. Plug any of these rates into the EV Cost Comparison to see what it means for your car.
The tariffs side by side
See the numbers
| Tariff | Off-peak rate | Off-peak hours | Car / charger | Exit fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Intelligent Octopus Go | from 6.5p/kWh (checked 31 Oct 2026) | 23:30–05:30, plus smart slots | Compatible car or charger | £50 |
| Octopus Go | By quote | 00:30–05:30 | Any EV | See quote |
| EDF GoElectric | 6.66p/kWh | 23:00–06:00 | Any EV | £75 |
| E.ON Next Drive Smart | 6.5p/kWh | 00:00–06:00 | Compatible car or charger | None |
| E.ON Next Drive (fixed) | 8.5p/kWh | 00:00–06:00 | Any EV | None |
| British Gas EV Power | 9.5p/kWh (7.125p with Hive Power+) | 00:00–05:00 | Any EV | See quote |
| OVO Charge Anytime | 13.33p/kWh for smart charging, or a monthly plan | Whenever OVO schedules it | Compatible car or charger | See quote |
Day rates and standing charges vary by region and are given in each supplier's quote. Always compare the full quote, not just the overnight rate.
Intelligent Octopus Go up close
- Rate: from 6.5p per kWh (Octopus page checked 31 October 2026; it said from 7.9p on 29 October and 7.6p earlier in October), so older comparisons may be out of date. Rates are quoted by postcode.
- Hours: six cheap hours for the whole home, 23:30 to 05:30, plus up to six hours of smart charging for the car that may fall outside that window.
- Bump charges: ask the car to charge right now and that energy is billed at the day rate.
- Terms: fixed rates only, with a £50 exit fee.
- Octopus's claimed saving: a typical £771 a year compared with Flexible Octopus (May 2025 to April 2026 data).
How the others compare
EDF GoElectric
6.66p, with seven cheap hours (23:00–06:00) for the whole home. Works with any EV, but you need a smart meter, and the exit fee is £75. A Smart Charging bolt-on can pay you £60 a year.
E.ON Next Drive and Next Drive Smart
Next Drive Smart shares the lowest headline rate we found with Intelligent Octopus Go: 6.5p from midnight to 6am. It needs a compatible car or charger, and boost charging is billed at the peak rate of 34.042p. Next Drive is 8.5p, fixed for a year, and works with any EV. Neither has an exit fee.
British Gas EV Power
9.5p for five hours (00:00–05:00), with any EV. A Hive Power+ subscription takes 25% off the off-peak rate, making it 7.125p. You need a smart meter and Direct Debit.
OVO Charge Anytime
OVO charges the car at 13.33p whenever its smart scheduling chooses, or you can pay a monthly fee from £26.50 for 700 miles. It's mainly about convenience: the rest of your home's overnight use isn't discounted.
What a year of charging costs
For a typical driver, the cheapest EV tariffs cost around £150–£220 a year to charge the car, against about £600 at the price cap rate.
See the numbers
The gap between the lowest-priced EV tariffs (as at 24 October 2026) is often less than £50 a year. Day rates, standing charges and exit fees can easily outweigh that, so check the full quote.
Which one suits you?
- Compatible car, and you want the most cheap hours: Intelligent Octopus Go or E.ON Next Drive Smart.
- Any EV, and a long cheap window for the whole home: EDF GoElectric.
- Freedom to leave without a fee: E.ON Next Drive or Next Drive Smart.
- Already have (or fancy) Hive: British Gas EV Power with Hive Power+.
Prices with and without VAT
See the numbers
| Price | Incl. VAT | Excl. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Ofgem price cap unit rate, GB (1 Oct–31 Dec 2026) | 26.32 p/kWh | 26.32 p/kWh |
| IONITY Direct | 83 p/kWh | 69.17 p/kWh |
Petrol, diesel and public charging: VAT 20%. Home electricity in Great Britain: 0% VAT from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027 (normally 5%; Northern Ireland stays at 5%), so the price cap figure is the same with or without VAT (HMRC VAT Notice 701/19). Households always pay the VAT-inclusive price.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Intelligent Octopus Go?
Octopus lists smart charging from 6.5p per kWh (checked 31 October 2026), from 23:30 to 05:30 for the whole home, plus extra smart-charging slots for your car. The tariff is fixed and has a £50 exit fee.
Which UK EV tariff has the lowest rate?
On headline overnight rate, E.ON Next Drive Smart (6.5p) and EDF GoElectric (6.66p) were lowest when we checked on 24 October 2026. The best value for you depends on your day rate, your car and how much you use off-peak.
Do I need a compatible car for Intelligent Octopus Go?
Yes. It needs a compatible car or home charger, because Octopus controls when the car charges. If yours is not compatible, Octopus Go and EDF GoElectric work with any EV.
Related guides
- UK off-peak EV tariffs compared
- How much does it cost to charge a Tesla in the UK?
- EV running cost per mile vs petrol in the UK
- How much does a home EV charger cost to install?
Sources (all checked 24 October 2026)
- Octopus Energy: Intelligent Octopus Go (from 6.5p/kWh, 23:30–05:30, £50 exit fee; checked 31 October 2026)
- Octopus Energy: Octopus Go (00:30–05:30, price by quote)
- EDF: GoElectric (6.66p/kWh, 23:00–06:00, £75 exit fee)
- E.ON Next: Next Drive and Next Drive Smart (8.5p and 6.5p/kWh, 00:00–06:00, no exit fees; rates stated as correct on 21 October 2026)
- British Gas: EV Power (9.5p/kWh, 00:00–05:00; 25% off with Hive Power+)
- OVO: Charge Anytime (13.33p/kWh pay as you go from 1 October 2026, or monthly mileage plans)
- Ofgem: Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges (1 October to 31 December 2026: 26.32p/kWh, 54.83p/day, Direct Debit average)
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Compare public charger prices: Prices change, check before you charge. The price shown in the operator’s app or on the charger is the one you pay.