Google Maps has begun displaying fuel prices to help drivers in the United Kingdom locate cheaper petrol and diesel amid soaring costs. The new feature, which became available on Thursday, shows fuel prices alongside forecourt locations when users search for them on the app. This data is supplied through the government's Fuel Finder scheme, which legally requires UK forecourts to update their prices within 30 minutes of any change.
The introduction of this feature comes shortly after the price of diesel surpassed £2 per litre for the first time, an event described by RAC policy head Simon Williams as a significant threshold. While numerous third-party applications already exist to help drivers find the cheapest fuel, Google Maps holds a substantial user base in Britain, with 77% of the adult population using it for general navigation, according to Ofcom.
Fuel costs globally have been significantly affected by geopolitical events, including the war between Russia and Ukraine. In the UK, the average cost for a 55-litre tank of diesel remains around £110, with the petrol equivalent costing approximately £96, even after a recent 2p reduction in diesel prices.
The navigation app Waze, which is owned by Google and has about 2 million users in the UK, already incorporates a similar fuel price feature. In contrast, Apple Maps does not natively display fuel prices, though some third-party applications can integrate with its mapping service on iPhones.
Concerns have been raised regarding the reliability of the Fuel Finder scheme. Clare Lafferty, director at price comparison site PetrolPrices, stated that the government's data feed often requires supplementation from other sources to ensure adequate coverage and accuracy. She noted that some petrol stations have not registered with the scheme, while others that have registered are not consistently updating their prices within the mandated timeframe. PetrolPrices identified approximately 200 forecourts in September that appeared not to have updated their diesel prices promptly.
Sarah-Jayne Williams, director of product partnerships for Google Maps and Waze, indicated that Google will independently verify the data. Prices will only be displayed if the company has a high degree of confidence in their accuracy. The Retail Motor Industry Federation, representing numerous UK forecourts and petrol retailers, has stated that its members are adhering to the price update requirements.
The Fuel Finder scheme was initially launched in February by former chancellor Rachel Reeves, who suggested at the time that it could lead to annual savings of £40 for households.