The government says a new option on Google Maps could save drivers £40 a year on fuel
Millions of motorists are crying out for ways to save on fuel
Drivers will be able to save at the pump as near real-time petrol and diesel prices are displayed on Google Maps for the first time.
The new feature will display locations as well as their pricing using data supplied via the government’s Fuel Finder scheme. Ministers claim motorists could save an average £40 a year by seeking out the best prices.
The move comes as millions of Brits are reeling from pain at the pumps caused by sky high prices. Fuel costs have surged due to an energy shock as a result of the ongoing Middle East war.
To see more of the stories you love from The Mirror and to find them easily in Google then make us your preferred source. Free and easy-to-do, just click on the link here to find more from The Mirror at the top of your feed.
Chancellor John Healey said: “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.
“But we’re not powerless. And small changes like this, cutting tax on electricity bills and capping bus fares at £2 all help give families a bit of breathing space.”
Polly Billington, Minister for Energy Consumers, 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 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.”
The Fuel Finder scheme was created to gather pump price data from forecourt operators in order for drivers to then search for the cheapest fill-ups in their area. It follows a recommendation by the Competition and Markets Authority.
Since February, it has been compulsory for petrol stations across the UK to report the price of their fuel within 30 minutes of it changing or risk a fine.
Edmund King, the AA’s president’ says: “Getting transparent fuel prices onto Google Maps is a massive step forward and means most drivers will have easy access to pump prices. Hopefully, this high-level pump-price transparency will also encourage more competitive prices from retailers.
“More transparent prices should reduce the extent of rampant price-matching between fuel stations that is currently seen in many areas. Those competitive forecourts that break rank and offer lower fuel prices can be found if drivers look hard enough and will now stand out more.
“Pump-price transparency on Google compliments what mobile apps, such as the AA App, already offer. Those are tailor-made for ease of use by drivers, targeted on showing pump prices quickly and clearly. They are already highly valued – a push notification on pump-price variation sent to millions of AA members this week produced a response rate that was 60% above normal.”
Michael Passingham, Which? cars expert, said: “With fuel prices piling pressure on household budgets, making it easier to compare prices and find cheaper fuel is good news for motorists. Having prices readily available on Google Maps should make it much simpler for more drivers to shop around.
“However, tools like this are only useful if the information they provide is accurate and up to date. If service stations fail to update their Fuel Finder data, then the Competition and Markets Authority needs to step in to make this work.”
