Finding the cheapest petrol or diesel in your area has just become a little easier, with Google Maps now showing fuel prices at filling stations across the UK.
The new feature launches today, Thursday 8 October, allowing motorists to compare prices at nearby forecourts before deciding where to fill up, using information updated whenever retailers change what they charge.
For drivers across the Highlands and Islands, where travelling longer distances is often part of everyday life, being able to check the cost of fuel before setting off could make a welcome difference to household budgets.
The change follows the introduction of the UK Government’s Fuel Finder scheme, which requires petrol stations to report changes to their prices within 30 minutes, creating a national source of information that can be used by mapping and comparison services.
Around 99% of fuel sold on UK roads is now covered by the scheme, with the Government estimating that greater transparency and competition could save households with a car an average of £40 a year.
The information is already being used by services including Waze, Petrol Prices, the AA, Confused.com and RAC Fuel Watch, but its arrival on Google Maps means millions more drivers will be able to compare prices through an app they already use.
Rather than travelling between filling stations or relying on roadside signs, motorists can simply open Google Maps, search for a nearby petrol station and check the displayed price of petrol or diesel.
The Government hopes that making prices easier to compare will encourage competition between retailers, particularly where drivers have a choice of filling stations within a reasonable distance.
Minister for Energy Consumers Polly Billington said:
“Tackling the affordability crisis is our first responsibility and for so many families and businesses, petrol and diesel are essential goods, not luxuries.
“Accessing the cheapest fuel should be simple, which is why it is a game-changer for near real-time fuel prices to be shown on Google Maps for the first time in the UK, helping drivers find the best deal and save money at the pump.”
The Fuel Finder scheme was introduced following a recommendation from the Competition and Markets Authority, which has been examining competition and pricing in the UK road fuel market.
Since February, filling stations have been required to submit their prices promptly whenever they change, with financial penalties possible for businesses which fail to comply.
Google says the integration is intended to make everyday journeys less expensive by giving motorists clearer information about what they can expect to pay.
Sarah-Jayne Williams, Director of Global Product Partnerships for Geo at Google, said:
“Navigating fuel rising costs shouldn’t add stress to everyday journeys.
“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.
“Go on and give it a try today!”
The potential savings will depend on how much fuel households use, the difference between local pump prices and whether cheaper alternatives are conveniently located.
In rural areas, travelling several extra miles to save a penny or two per litre may not always make financial sense, but having the information available makes it easier for drivers to make that decision for themselves.
And with petrol and diesel remaining an unavoidable expense for many Highland households, anything that makes the price at the pumps a little more transparent is likely to be welcomed.
