Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Google Maps Brings UK Fuel Prices to Drivers
Google Maps can now show fuel prices at nearby petrol stations in the UK.
It gets this information from a government scheme called Fuel Finder.
Drivers can compare prices before choosing where to stop.
The government estimates that a household with a car could save about £40 a year by shopping around.
Fuel Finder covers most UK petrol stations.
However, some experts say the information may not always be complete or up to date.
Google says it will show a price only when it has confidence that the information is current.
Drivers should still check the price at the station before buying fuel.
Google Maps has introduced a feature showing nearby UK forecourts’ reported petrol and diesel prices.
The feature uses data from the government’s Fuel Finder scheme and went live on Thursday, October 8.
The government estimates that households with a car could save around £40 a year by comparing prices.
Fuel Finder covers around 97% of UK petrol stations and an estimated 99% of fuel sold on UK roads.
Some experts question the data’s completeness and accuracy; Google says it will display prices only when confident they are current.
- Who
- Google Maps users and UK forecourts reporting prices through Fuel Finder.
- What
- Google Maps began displaying reported petrol and diesel prices at nearby forecourts.
- When
- The feature went live on Thursday, October 8; the article does not specify a year.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- To help drivers compare fuel prices and potentially save money.
Caution about data
Case for the feature
Fuel Finder accuracy and completeness
Caution about data
PetrolPrices director Clare Lafferty said the feed does not yet provide the coverage and accuracy needed for a completely reliable service, and the company supplements it with other data. She said PetrolPrices identified around 200 forecourts in September that it believed had not updated diesel prices on time.
Case for the feature
Google’s Sarah-Jayne Williams said accuracy is very important and that Google will display a price only when it has high confidence the information is current; otherwise, a station may appear without a price.
Potential value to motorists
Caution about data
The article cautions that app prices may not always match pump prices, so drivers should check the forecourt price before buying.
Case for the feature
The government estimates that comparing prices could save households with a car around £40 a year, while greater transparency may encourage competition between forecourts.
- Data source
- The government’s Fuel Finder scheme
- Estimated annual household saving
- Around £40 for households with a car, according to the government
- Forecourt coverage
- Around 97% of UK petrol stations
- Share of fuel sales covered
- An estimated 99% of fuel sold on UK roads
- Price reporting requirement
- Forecourts have been legally required to report price changes within 30 minutes since February 2026
- Google’s display approach
- Google says it will show a fuel price only when it has high confidence the information is current