Octopus EV tariffs: what does home charging cost?
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Octopus has two EV-focused tariffs: Octopus Go, which works with any EV, and Intelligent Octopus Go, which smart-charges eligible cars and chargers. At the 7.6p/kWh Intelligent Octopus Go off-peak rate, Octopus's own example puts home charging for a typical EV driving 7,000 miles a year at about £160. That assumes all charging happens at that rate. Figures are as published by Octopus on 11 October 2026.
The maths behind the cost
Home charging cost is simple to estimate: miles driven, multiplied by how many kWh your car uses per mile, multiplied by your electricity rate. Octopus uses 0.301 kWh per mile as a typical UK EV figure, based on EV Database data. Your car will differ.
| Annual mileage | Electricity used | At 7.6p/kWh (Intelligent Octopus Go off-peak) | At 26.32p/kWh (average price-cap unit rate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000 miles | 1,505 kWh | £114 | £396 |
| 7,000 miles | 2,107 kWh | £160 | £555 |
| 10,000 miles | 3,010 kWh | £229 | £792 |
The 26.32p/kWh comparison is the average electricity unit rate under the October 2026 Ofgem price cap for direct debit customers, as used in Octopus's own comparisons. These are energy costs only: they leave out standing charges, assume every kWh is charged at the stated rate, and ignore regional differences in the price cap.
Which Octopus tariffs suit an EV?
- Intelligent Octopus Go: automatic smart charging for eligible cars and chargers, plus a whole-home off-peak window from 23:30 to 05:30.
- Octopus Go: a fixed cheap overnight window that works with any EV.
- Agile Octopus: half-hourly wholesale pricing, which can suit EV owners who are happy to manage the risk.
Our Agile vs Go comparison sets all three side by side.
How Intelligent Octopus Go smart charging works
- Connect your eligible car or smart charger in the Octopus app.
- Plug in, then tell Octopus how much charge you need and when you need the car ready.
- Octopus schedules charging for the cheapest half-hourly periods while you're plugged in, charging you the off-peak rate for up to six hours a day.
- If you need a charge straight away, a "bump charge" in the app starts it immediately. Bump charges are billed at your day rate, and you can stop one from the app at any time.
When smart charging runs outside your 23:30 to 05:30 window, the electricity for the rest of your home is also charged at the cheaper rate during those slots.
Checking your car or charger is eligible
Octopus has an eligibility checker on its Intelligent Octopus Go page where you enter your car registration and charger details. Octopus says compatibility can't be guaranteed because car specifications and connections change regularly. If your car isn't supported, you can use a supported smart charger instead. Octopus quotes prices from £949 including standard installation. If neither works for you, Octopus Go still accepts any EV.
Checklist before you switch
- Do you have, or can you get, a compatible smart meter?
- Is your car or charger on Octopus's eligibility list?
- What is your realistic annual mileage and how much will you charge at home?
- Are you comfortable with the exit fee? At the time of writing Intelligent Octopus Go has a £50 early exit fee.
- Are you already an Octopus customer? New customers join on a standard tariff first and move across once the switch completes.
This is general information, not financial advice. Check live rates for your postcode before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home with Octopus?
Is Intelligent Octopus Go the most popular EV tariff?
Can I charge outside the cheap periods?
Does any EV work with Octopus Go?
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