Hello there! Ready to take control of your Tesla charging and potentially save some money while helping the grid? Connecting your Tesla to the Octopus Energy app is a fantastic way to do just that, especially if you're on a smart tariff like Intelligent Octopus Go or Intelligent Octopus Flux. This integration allows Octopus to optimize your charging based on the cheapest and greenest times, taking the hassle out of it for you. Let's get started!
Step 1: Laying the Groundwork – Are You Ready?
Before diving into the app, let's make sure you have everything in place. This is crucial for a smooth setup!
1.1 Are you an Octopus Energy Customer?
First things first, you must be an Octopus Energy customer. If you're not already, you'll need to sign up. This is the foundation of using their smart tariffs and app integration.
1.2 Are you on the Right Tariff?
For optimal Tesla integration, Octopus Energy offers specific smart tariffs. The most common ones are:
Intelligent Octopus Go (for Electric Vehicles): This tariff is designed for EV owners and provides super cheap smart charging for your car, along with several hours of cheap home electricity overnight.
Intelligent Octopus Flux (for Powerwall owners): If you have a Tesla Powerwall, this tariff helps you maximize savings by charging your battery when prices are low and selling energy back to the grid when prices are high.
You can typically switch to these tariffs directly within the Octopus Energy app.
1.3 Essential Pre-Connection Checks for your Tesla EV:
Smart Meter: Ensure you have a smart meter installed that is sending half-hourly readings to Octopus Energy. This is vital for the smart tariffs to work correctly.
Vehicle Status: When you're ready to connect, make sure your Tesla is:
At home and properly plugged in.
Not at 100% full charge. Octopus needs to be able to initiate a test charge (usually around 5-7 minutes) to confirm the connection.
Free from other charging schedules. Disable any existing charging schedules you might have set up directly through your Tesla app or other third-party charging apps. These can interfere with Octopus's optimization.
Tesla Mobile Access: In your Tesla, ensure Mobile Access is enabled. You can usually find this under
Controls>Safety>Allow Mobile Accesswhile seated in the vehicle.Single Tesla Limit: Currently, Octopus Energy typically only supports connecting one Tesla EV per account. If you have multiple, you'll need to choose the one you want to integrate.
Step 2: The Connection Process – Linking Your Tesla
Now that you've got the prerequisites sorted, let's get into the step-by-step guide to connecting your Tesla to the Octopus Energy app.
2.1 Opening the Octopus Energy App and Adding a Device
Open the Octopus Energy app on your smartphone.
Navigate to the 'Devices' tab. This is usually found at the bottom of the app screen.
Tap on 'Add device'.
2.2 Selecting Your Device Type
You'll be presented with options for different device types.
If you're connecting your Tesla EV, select 'Electric vehicle'.
If you're connecting a Tesla Powerwall, select 'Battery' and then 'Tesla'.
2.3 Providing Vehicle and Charger Information (for EVs)
Confirm your location and plugged-in status: The app will ask if you are at home with your EV plugged in. Confirm this is the case. Remember, the car needs to be plugged in but not actively charging initially.
Select EV Make and Model: From the dropdown list, choose 'Tesla' as your EV make, and then select your specific Tesla model.
Add your Charger Make and Model: If you have a specific home charger, select its make and model from the list. If you don't have one listed, there might be an option to indicate "No charger" or "request an integration."
2.4 Connecting to Your Tesla Account
This is a critical step where you grant Octopus Energy permission to control your Tesla's charging.
Tap 'Agree and connect' (or similar wording depending on the app version).
You'll be redirected to the Tesla website to sign in to your Tesla account. Use the same login details you use for your Tesla app.
Granting Permissions: When prompted, ensure you tick the boxes for 'Vehicle Information' and 'Vehicle Charging Management'. It's crucial to select both, as failing to do so will cause the connection to fail. If you accidentally miss these, you'll need to revoke Octopus's access on the Tesla website (under Security > Manage Third Parties) and restart the connection process.
2.5 The Virtual Key (for newer Tesla Models)
For most newer Tesla models, you will be asked to 'add a virtual key'. This is a necessary step for Octopus to communicate with your car.
If your Tesla is a Model X or S from before 2021, or if you lease your vehicle, adding a virtual key may not be required, and you can typically skip this step by pressing 'Agree and continue' or 'Virtual key added or not required'.
If required, open your Tesla app, click on 'Allow third parties to access your vehicles', then return to the previous Tesla screen and click on 'Finish setup'.
Return to the Octopus app and click 'Agree and continue' or 'Virtual key added or not required'.
2.6 The Test Charge and Confirmation
Octopus Energy will typically perform a test charge to ensure they can successfully communicate with and control your car's charging.
Follow any in-app instructions for this test charge.
Once the test charge is successful, you should see a confirmation message like "Your Tesla is connected!"
Your Tesla should now appear as 'connected' in the 'Devices' tab of your Octopus Energy app.
Step 3: Enjoying Smart Charging and Optimisation
Congratulations! Your Tesla is now connected to the Octopus Energy app. Here's what happens next and how you can manage your charging:
3.1 Automatic Optimization
Once connected, Octopus will take over the optimization of your charging. You just need to plug in your car each evening when you want to charge.
Octopus's system (powered by Kraken) will automatically schedule your charging for the cheapest and greenest times, often overnight during off-peak hours.
You'll be billed at your specific smart tariff's rates (e.g., the super cheap 7p/kWh on Intelligent Octopus Go).
3.2 Monitoring and Control in the App
In the 'Devices' section of the Octopus app, you can:
Check your charging status.
View your charging schedule in advance.
Set your preferences, such as how much charge you need and by what time you want your car ready in the morning.
Note: While connected to Octopus, you'll still be able to open your Tesla app, but direct control settings for your Powerwall or EV charging will be managed by Octopus. Your Tesla app should indicate that you are enrolled in a 'Virtual Power Plant' (VPP).
3.3 What if You Need to Charge Sooner? (Bump Charge)
If your plans change and you need to charge your car at short notice, you can usually perform a "bump charge" through the Octopus app. Be aware that bump charges are typically billed at your peak rate, not the off-peak smart tariff rate.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if I'm on the right Octopus tariff for Tesla integration?
You can usually see your current tariff displayed in the main dashboard or "Account" section of your Octopus Energy app. If you're not on Intelligent Octopus Go or Intelligent Octopus Flux, you'll need to switch within the app.
How to enable "Mobile Access" in my Tesla?
Inside your Tesla vehicle, go to Controls > Safety > Allow Mobile Access. Ensure this setting is toggled on to allow third-party apps like Octopus to communicate with your car.
How to disconnect my Tesla from the Octopus app?
Open the Octopus app, go to the 'Devices' tab, select your Tesla, tap the 'settings' cog in the top right corner, and then scroll to the bottom and tap 'Disconnect device'. Be aware it can take up to 7 days for the disconnection to fully process, and you'll no longer be eligible for smart tariffs after disconnecting.
How to troubleshoot a failed test charge?
Ensure your car is plugged in, not fully charged (Octopus needs at least 5-7 minutes of charging capacity), and that you're at your registered home location. Also, make sure all other charging schedules in your Tesla or other apps are disabled. If issues persist, check your car's internet connection or contact Octopus support.
How to regain manual control of my Tesla Powerwall after connecting to Octopus Flux?
After connecting your Powerwall to Intelligent Octopus Flux, Octopus will manage its charging and discharging. To regain manual control, you need to disconnect it via the Octopus app's device settings, as described in the "How to disconnect" FAQ above.
How to prevent my Tesla from starting to charge immediately when I plug it in?
If your car starts charging at a peak rate as soon as you plug it in, you can manually stop it in the Tesla app immediately after plugging in. Octopus should then take over and schedule the smart charge. Some users also set their Tesla to "scheduled charging" or disable PIN lock on their charger.
How to ensure all necessary permissions are granted during Tesla account login?
When you're redirected to the Tesla website to log in, explicitly ensure you tick both the "Vehicle Information" and "Vehicle Charging Management" checkboxes. If you miss either, the connection will fail, and you'll need to revoke access on Tesla.com and retry.
How to find my charging schedule in the Octopus app?
Once your Tesla is connected, navigate to the 'Devices' tab in the Octopus app. Select your Tesla, and you should be able to view its charging status and the upcoming smart charging schedule that Octopus has planned.
How to address issues if Octopus isn't detecting my car is plugged in?
This can sometimes be a connectivity issue. Ensure your car has a good Wi-Fi or mobile signal. You can try unplugging and re-plugging your vehicle, or temporarily toggling smart charging off and then on again within the Octopus app to prompt a re-check.
How to benefit from connecting my Tesla Powerwall to Octopus Energy?
By connecting your Powerwall to Intelligent Octopus Flux, Octopus can optimize its charging and discharging, leveraging low energy prices for charging and selling excess energy back to the grid during peak demand. This can lead to significant savings on your energy bills and supports grid stability.
This video provides a quick overview of how to set up and use Intelligent Octopus Go:
