Near real-time fuel prices come to Google Maps for UK drivers
By Anthony Sharkey, Chief Operating Officer, New Reg Limited
Petrol and diesel prices are now shown on Google Maps in near real-time, giving UK drivers a straightforward way to compare costs before they fill up.
UK drivers can now see near real-time petrol and diesel prices directly inside Google Maps, a change confirmed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero that is expected to help motorists spend less at the pump.
The addition means that when a driver searches for a nearby filling station, the app can display current fuel prices alongside the location, removing the guesswork that has long made it difficult to know whether a forecourt is offering a competitive rate without first driving to it.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has confirmed the move as part of broader efforts to increase transparency around fuel pricing. Greater price visibility has consistently been linked by the department to more competitive behaviour among forecourt operators, which in turn can exert downward pressure on the prices consumers pay.
The feature affects anyone in the UK who uses Google Maps to navigate or locate petrol stations, which covers a substantial share of the driving public. Drivers who regularly cover long distances or who live in areas where forecourt prices vary widely are likely to feel the most immediate benefit, though the change applies nationwide regardless of vehicle type or fuel grade.