Google Maps is making it easier for UK drivers to find cheaper fuel, now with near-real-time petrol and diesel prices appearing in the app for the first time.
The new feature uses data from the UK Government’s Fuel Finder scheme. This lets drivers search for nearby petrol stations and compare their latest prices without having to check different forecourts individually. Google Maps isn’t alone either; Google-owned Waze is getting the same price information.
Open Google Maps and search for “petrol” or “fuel”. You’ll be able to see nearby stations on the map alongside their current petrol and diesel prices. You can also check the prices for the different fuel types offered by each station. This makes it easier to spot a better deal before you pull in.
The timing is pretty useful, with fuel costs continuing to put pressure on household budgets. The government estimates that households with a car could save around £40 a year through greater visibility of fuel prices.
Moreover, the information comes from Fuel Finder, which requires UK petrol stations to report changes in their fuel prices within 30 minutes of the change. The scheme has been compulsory since February; as a result, around 99% of all fuel sold on UK roads is now represented in its data.
That information has already been available through services including Waze, Petrol Prices, the AA, Confused.com and RAC Fuel Watch. However, bringing it directly into Google Maps should make it considerably easier for the millions of people who already use the app for everyday driving.
Clearly, there is a particularly simple benefit here: you don’t necessarily have to stop at the nearest petrol station anymore. A quick look at Maps could show you whether driving a little further is worth it.
Google says the feature is rolling out in the UK from 8 October, which gives drivers another reason to check Maps before filling up.
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