How Octopus EV tariffs work: off-peak rates, smart meters and the whole home

Every Octopus EV tariff is built on the same idea: electricity is cheaper to supply at night, when demand is low and wind generation keeps running, so Octopus passes that on as a much lower overnight unit rate. In return, the rest of the day costs a bit more.

Two rates instead of one

A standard tariff charges one unit rate all day. An EV tariff charges two:

• An off-peak rate for a set window at night (and, on Intelligent Octopus Go, whenever Octopus schedules your car to charge).
• A day rate for every other hour. This varies by region and is typically higher than a standard variable tariff’s single rate.

There is also a daily standing charge, as on any tariff, which varies by region.

The cheap rate covers your whole home

Some suppliers only discount the electricity going into the car. Octopus does not: on both Octopus Go and Intelligent Octopus Go, everything you use in the cheap window is billed at the cheap rate. That means a dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer or immersion heater on a timer adds to the saving. Our guide to using the cheap hours for the whole home has ideas.

Why you need a smart meter

To charge different prices at different times, Octopus has to know when you used each unit. A smart meter sends half-hourly readings. Octopus can work with:

• second-generation SMETS2 meters, and
• first-generation SMETS1 meters made by Secure (look for the Secure logo on the front).

If you are new to Octopus, it generally takes around 14 days after you switch for Octopus to connect to your meter. Once it is receiving half-hourly readings, it emails you to accept the tariff terms and then moves you across.

When an EV tariff pays off

The maths is simple: the more of your electricity you use in the cheap hours, the more you save. Car charging is the easiest load to move, which is why these tariffs suit EV drivers. A household that drives very little and uses lots of electricity during the day may pay more on an EV tariff than on a standard one, because of the higher day rate. Our is it worth it? guide shows how to check.

Fixed or flexible

Octopus sells EV tariffs in fixed versions (rates locked for 12 months, usually with an exit fee) and flexible versions (rates can move with wholesale prices, with notice, and no exit fee). Which is on sale changes over time. See fixed vs flexible Octopus EV tariffs.