Electric cars
Which cars and chargers work with Intelligent Octopus Go?
How to check whether your car or charger works with Intelligent Octopus Go, what happens if it does not, and the Go tariff that works with any EV.
Edited by Rob Gibbs. Published: . Guidance reviewed: .
Short answer
Intelligent Octopus Go only works with selected car and charger brands, because Octopus has to connect to one of them to schedule charging. Check your exact model on Octopus’s eligibility checker before switching. If neither your car nor your charger is supported, Octopus Go works with any EV and charger, with a fixed five-hour overnight window instead.
Why compatibility matters
Intelligent Go works by linking to your car or your charger and choosing when to charge. If Octopus cannot connect to either one, it cannot schedule charging, and the tariff cannot work as designed.
You only need one route to work. A supported car can be used with a basic charger, and a supported charger can be used with a car that is not on the list.
How to check
Before you switch:
- Use the eligibility checker on Octopus’s Intelligent Go page and pick your exact car model, year and charger.
- Check the car’s software or app is up to date, because connections often rely on the manufacturer’s app.
- Have a working smart meter, which the tariff also needs.
If your kit is not supported
Octopus Go works with any EV and charger. You schedule charging yourself into its 00:30–05:30 window, using the car or charger app. You lose the extra smart-charging slots and automatic scheduling, but you still get a cheap overnight rate for the whole home. Octopus says it adds new brands over time, so check again before replacing a charger.
Questions people ask
Do I need both a supported car and a supported charger?
No. Intelligent Go needs to connect to one of them. Either a supported car or a supported charger is enough.
What if my charger stops connecting?
Smart charging stops until it reconnects. Charging in the 23:30–05:30 window is still billed at the off-peak rate, so schedule it there yourself in the meantime.
Tariffs in this guide
Related guides
- EV chargepoint grants: who can still claimThe government EV chargepoint grant for renters and flat owners: how much it pays, who qualifies and how it changed on 1 April 2026.
- Plug-in hybrids on Octopus Go and Intelligent GoWhether a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) can use Octopus EV tariffs, and why a smaller battery changes whether they save you money.
- Charging a company EV at home on an Octopus tariffWhat to sort out when you charge a company or salary-sacrifice EV at home on Octopus Go or Intelligent Go: records, reimbursement and the whole-home cost.
- Keeping gas on a fix while electricity is on Intelligent GoCan your gas stay on a fixed tariff while your electricity moves to Octopus Go or Intelligent Go? How the two fuels work separately.
- How smart EV charging works on Intelligent Octopus GoHow Intelligent Octopus Go schedules your EV, why charging sometimes happens outside the overnight window, and how it is billed.
- Is Intelligent Octopus Go worth it for low-mileage drivers?How to tell whether Intelligent Octopus Go saves money if you do not drive much, and when a standard tariff is cheaper.
Primary sources
- How does Intelligent Octopus Go work and how can I join? — Octopus Energy; checked 2026-10-30. The 23:30 to 05:30 whole-home window, smart charging billed at the off-peak rate and eligibility checks.
- FAQs about Octopus Go — Octopus Energy; checked 2026-10-30. There is no Go gas tariff, electricity-only supply is possible, and how Go differs from Intelligent Go.