Octopus Go customers frustrated after being given less than two weeks' notice of energy price rises – here's what's happened
Some Octopus Go and Intelligent Octopus Go customers have voiced disappointment and confusion after receiving less than two weeks' notice of energy price rises. But the boss of Octopus Energy says the firm's not breaking any rules, adding that the tariffs are still "very cheap".
Octopus Energy's Intelligent Octopus Go and Octopus Go are smart energy tariffs designed for electric vehicle (EV) owners. They offer cheap overnight electricity (five or six hours, depending on which tariff you're on) for you to charge your EV, plus you get the same rate for any home appliances you use during the specified time.
Comparing this type of tariff can be tricky, as it depends on your charging habits, the efficiency of your car, and your other home energy use – to review your options, see our EV energy tariffs guide.
Octopus customers complain of '10 days' notice of price rises
On Monday 20 April, customers on Intelligent Octopus Go and Octopus Go were notified of upcoming increases to their electricity prices, which will take effect on Friday 1 May. These tariffs are variable, so technically prices can go up or down.
Octopus Energy explained that an increase in the off-peak unit rate was "due to ongoing global volatility", referring to the conflict in the Middle East. Standing Charges on these tariffs are also going up by "around 52p a month on average", according to a customer email we've seen.
But affected customers have expressed their confusion and frustration, as their rates had only recently been lowered on 1 April 2026, due to Government-led policy cost cuts being passed on. Others questioned why they hadn't been given more notice of the change.
Here are some examples of the complaints we've seen on X:
Octopus' own website says they only review variable Intelligent Octopus Go (IOG) pricing every three months. Here they've changed it twice in the space of a month, and wiped out all the Government levy changes.
Octopus putting up its Octopus Go rates from 1 May even though it brought them down just weeks ago for the drop in the Price Cap? Doesn't sound right.
Two weeks notice of change. And they say they review every three months. Also wiping out the Government's levy and costing us more than before.
I've had 10 days' notice 🤷♂️ 🙁
Octopus boss: 'We aim for two weeks' notice but didn't want to email over the weekend'
Responding to the complaints – which MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis highlighted on X on Tuesday 21 April – Octopus Energy chief executive Greg Jackson said:
Whilst rises are painful and we work very hard to avoid them (you can look back and see very few over the years on these tariffs) – these tariffs are still very cheap – typical users on this tariff will have a blended rate of around 18.3p/kWh – around 20% below the Price Cap, and the more they charge their car the bigger the saving.
You don't need to buy a charger from us.
The points about timing are well taken. In terms of "reviewed every three months" – although the price was changed less than three months ago – that was simply passing through the Government cut, in full. We haven't changed the price ourselves for four months (Octopus Go) and longer (for Intelligent Octopus Go) – and in terms of notice period, Ofgem removed the 30 days (we assume because it sometimes caused people to leave good value tariffs).
We aim for about two weeks – slightly less this time, as we didn't want to email over the weekend when there'd be less support available.
And perspective is important – an EV on these tariffs is about five to eight times cheaper per mile than a petrol car, despite the fact the UK has such high electricity prices.
What are the rules on price rise notifications?
According to energy regulator Ofgem's Licence Conditions (updated in 2019), suppliers are required to give customers "reasonable notice" of any negative changes to their energy prices, to allow them to "make an informed choice" and allowing them "time to avoid the changes before they take effect".
Prior to this, suppliers had to give 30 days notice for price increases or disadvantageous changes.
Share this guide?
Latest weekly email
Clever ways to calculate your finances
