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A new government initiative, the Fuel Finder Scheme, now requires all UK petrol stations and fuel retailers to share their fuel prices with third-party apps and websites within 30 minutes of any change. The aim is to help drivers compare prices more easily and encourage greater competition between fuel retailers.
The scheme follows Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) findings that competition between petrol stations has been weak and that motorists can pay significantly different prices depending on location. The CMA said the scheme should help drivers find better deals and put pressure on retailers to compete.
Rather than creating a new government app, fuel price data will be made available through existing comparison apps, websites, and in-car navigation systems. These include platforms already used by drivers to check petrol and diesel prices.
Fuel retailers are now required to submit price updates to a central government database, whereas participation was previously voluntary. Drivers are also encouraged to report discrepancies between advertised prices and forecourt prices.
Current fuel prices are lower than the peaks seen in 2022 and 2023. As of now, average UK petrol prices are at their lowest level since mid-2021.
