Octopus Go
Overview
Perfect for EV owners and night owls
- Super off-peak rate: 7p/kWh (23:30-05:30)
- Standard rate: ~30p/kWh (rest of day)
- Fixed 12-month tariff
- Requires smart meter (SMETS2 preferred)
- Best for customers who can shift usage to night
Ideal Customers
- Electric vehicle owners
- Customers with storage heaters
- Night shift workers
- High energy users who can time-shift usage
- Those with dishwashers, washing machines, tumble dryers
Savings Potential
Example household:
- EV charging: 3,000 kWh/year overnight = ~£210 (vs £900 standard rate)
- Additional overnight usage: 1,000 kWh = £70
- Daytime usage: 2,000 kWh = £600
- Total annual cost: ~£880 (£320 saved vs standard tariff)
Octopus Agile
How Agile Works
Variable pricing based on wholesale market:
- Prices change every 30 minutes
- Published day-ahead (4pm for next day)
- Can be negative (paid to use energy!)
- Can be very high during peak demand
- Requires active management and flexibility
When to Recommend Agile
Good fit for customers who:
- Are tech-savvy and engaged
- Can shift major usage to off-peak times
- Have smart home automation
- Want to support grid balancing
- Are willing to monitor prices regularly
When NOT to Recommend Agile
Avoid for customers who:
- Want price certainty and stability
- Can't shift usage times
- Don't want to monitor pricing
- Use majority of energy during peak hours (4pm-7pm)
- Are vulnerable or on fixed income
Agile Tips for Customers
- Check prices daily on app or via API
- Use automation (e.g., IFTTT) to control devices
- Charge EV and batteries during cheap/negative pricing
- Avoid usage 4pm-7pm when prices typically highest
- Take advantage of windy/sunny days (cheap renewable energy)
Octopus Flux
Overview
For customers with solar panels and batteries
- Import rates: Time-of-use (cheap overnight, higher peak)
- Export rates: Higher during peak demand
- Optimizes both import and export
- Works with home batteries
- Requires smart meter and export capability
Typical Flux Rates
- Off-peak import (02:00-05:00): ~15p/kWh
- Day rate import: ~25p/kWh
- Peak export (16:00-19:00): ~25p/kWh
- Off-peak export: ~5p/kWh
Ideal Setup
Customer has:
- Solar panels (3kW+ recommended)
- Home battery storage (5kWh+ ideal)
- Smart meter (SMETS2)
- Export meter setup complete
- Inverter that supports time-of-use charging
Optimization Strategy
- Battery charges from grid during cheap off-peak (02:00-05:00)
- Solar charges battery during day
- Export to grid during peak export window (16:00-19:00)
- Use stored energy during expensive evening hours
- Maximizes earnings and minimizes costs
Intelligent Octopus Go
Smart Charging Explained
Automated EV charging optimization:
- Same 7p/kWh off-peak rate as regular Go
- System automatically schedules charging
- Guaranteed ready by departure time
- Can provide 6+ hours of cheap rate
- Integrates with compatible EVs and chargers
Compatible Vehicles
Fully integrated:
- Tesla (all models)
- Volkswagen ID range
- Audi e-tron
- SEAT, Skoda, Cupra electric models
Compatible Chargers
- Ohme Home Pro/ePod
- Hypervolt
- Indra Smart Pro
- Wallbox Pulsar Plus
- myenergi Zappi
Setup Process
- Customer signs up for Intelligent Octopus Go
- Links vehicle or charger in Octopus app
- Sets preferences (departure time, minimum charge %)
- Plugs in EV when they get home
- System automatically charges during cheapest slots
Cosy Octopus
Overview
For customers with heat pumps:
- Time-of-use tariff optimized for heat pump running
- Cheaper overnight rates for heating
- Competitive daytime rates
- Works with smart heat pump controls
Eligibility
- Customer has air source or ground source heat pump
- Smart meter installed (SMETS2)
- Heat pump is primary heating source
Typical Rates
- Off-peak (00:00-05:00): ~12p/kWh
- Standard rate: ~25p/kWh
- Encourages pre-heating during cheap periods