Google Maps now shows live fuel prices in the UK
Key Points
- Google Maps now shows near real-time petrol and diesel prices in the UK.
- Prices come from the government's Fuel Finder scheme.
- Fuel Finder covers around 99% of fuel sold on UK roads.
- Forecourts must report price changes within 30 minutes or face fines.
- The government says drivers could save around £40 a year.
Google Maps will begin near real-time UK pump prices from Thursday (8 October). The government said households with a car could save around £40 a year by comparing petrol and diesel prices before filling up.
The feature pulls in data from Fuel Finder, a government scheme which now covers around 99% of all fuel sold on UK roads.
To check prices, drivers need to open Google Maps and search for a nearby forecourt, which will display its current petrol and diesel prices.
Fuel Finder launched following a recommendation from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to make fuel pricing more competitive.
Since February, petrol stations across the UK have had to report price changes within 30 minutes or risk a fine. The CMA can take action against forecourts which fail to comply with the law.
Thousands of drivers already use the data through apps such as Waze, Petrol Prices, the AA, Confused.com and RAC Fuel Watch.
Google said it has integrated Fuel Finder data into both Google Maps and Waze to give drivers visibility on nearby pump prices.
The launch comes as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to push up fuel prices for UK drivers, the government said.
It described the move as the latest step in its work on affordability, following a VAT cut on electricity bills and a £2 cap on bus fares.
“Accessing the cheapest fuel should be simple, which is why it is a gamechanger for near real-time fuel prices to be shown on Google Maps for the first time in the UK, helping drivers to find the best deal and save money at the pump,” said Polly Billington, Minister for Energy Consumers.
“Getting the best price at the pump is now easier. This doesn’t fix everything; bills have gone up because of events in the Middle East,” said John Healey, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
“Integrating Fuel Finder data into Google Maps and Waze gives drivers visibility on nearby pump prices, helping drivers make intentional choices to help their budgets go further this winter,” said Sarah-Jayne Williams, Director of Global Product Partnerships for Geo at Google.
