Intelligent Octopus Go 6-hour smart charging FAQs

Octopus Energy has announced an upcoming changes Intelligent Octopus Go. Going forward, Intelligent Octopus Go will provide up to 6 hours of super-cheap smart charging every 24 hours for EV charging. For most drivers who plug in regularly and top up overnight, this change is unlikely to have much impact.

Ohme is preparing an app update to support this change and give you more control over how your charging is handled. This FAQ explains what’s changing, what to expect next, and how the upcoming Ohme app update will help you manage your charging once it’s available.

Jump to:
What is changing with Intelligent Octopus Go?
Does this affect my whole home electricity?
Will this change how much I pay?
Can smart charging happen outside 11:30pm–5:30am?
What happens if I need more than 6 hours of charging?
Do I need to do anything right now?
Will Ohme stop charging after 6 hours automatically?
What about Max charging?
Why did my charging slow down or pause?
I have more than one EV. What should I expect?
When will the Ohme app update be available?

What is changing with Intelligent Octopus Go?

Octopus Energy is applying a limit of up to 6 hours of super cheap smart charging every 24 hours for EV charging on the Intelligent Octopus Go tariff.

Does this affect my whole home electricity?

No, the electricity you use for your home is separate.

You will still receive 6 hours of off-peak electricity for your whole home every day between 11:30pm and 5:30am.

The 6-hour limit only applies to smart charging for your EV.

Will this change how much I pay?

For most drivers, no.

If you plug in regularly and top up smaller amounts overnight, your charging will usually fit within the 6 hours of discounted smart charging.

You’re more likely to notice a difference if:

• You have a very large battery and plug in with very little charge remaining
• You need to fully recharge in a single night
• You have more than one EV charging on the same tariff

Can smart charging happen outside 11:30pm–5:30am?

Yes.

Your 6 hours of super cheap smart charging can be scheduled:

• During the 11:30pm–5:30am off-peak window
• Outside that window
• Or across a mix of both

Once your 6 discounted hours are used, any further smart charging will be billed at the peak rate, even if it happens overnight.

What happens if I need more than 6 hours of charging?

If you need more than 6 hours of charging, some charging may be billed at the peak rate.

Ohme is adding a new setting in the app that will let you choose how your charging is handled:

• You’ll be able to limit charging to stay within the 6 hours, or
• Prioritise reaching your charge target, even if that means some peak-rate charging

This setting will be available in an upcoming app update.

Do I need to do anything right now?

Not yet.

Octopus Energy has announced the change, and Ohme is preparing an app update to give you more control over how your charging is handled. Until that update is available, you don’t need to take any action.

We’ll update our Help Centre once the feature is live.

Will Ohme stop charging after 6 hours automatically?

Once the update is live, you’ll be able to choose.

If you choose to prioritise savings, Ohme will limit smart charging to 6 hours and stop charging after that.

If you choose to prioritise your charge target, Ohme may continue charging beyond 6 hours, with any additional charging billed at the peak rate.

What about Max charging?

Max charging is a manual override from Smart charging.

Max charging:

• Starts charging immediately at the fastest possible rate until your EV is full
• Does not use smart scheduling
• Is always billed at the peak or standard rate
• Starts if your charger is offline when you plug in to charge

This is true even if Max charging happens between 11:30pm and 5:30am.

Why did my charging slow down or pause?

This can happen for a few normal reasons:

• Your car may be limiting how fast it can charge
• Load Balancing may reduce charging to protect your home’s electrical supply
• Charging may pause if voltage levels are too high or too low

These safety features are built into all Ohme chargers and are expected behaviour.

I have more than one EV. What should I expect?

If you have multiple EVs charging on the same tariff, you may need to manage how you use the 6 discounted charging hours.

If you have more than one EV you could:

• Alternate charging nights between vehicles
• Plug in more frequently for smaller top-ups

This behaviour is expected and does not mean anything is wrong with your charger or tariff.

When will the Ohme app update be available?

The app update is coming soon. There may be a short delay following Octopus Energy’s announcement.

We’ll update this page as soon as the feature is available and let you know what to look for in the app.