The government-backed scheme will help drivers compare fuel prices and could save families up to £4.50 per tank
People filling up their cars on Monday will be able to use real-time information to pick the cheapest petrol station(Image: Getty Images)
A significant regulation comes into force tomorrow affecting every forecourt across the UK. The Fuel Finder Scheme has been established to gather and publicly share up-to-the-minute road fuel pricing information from all UK motor fuel retailers, making it readily accessible to consumers.
From Monday, February 2, filling stations must report any alterations to their fuel prices within 30 minutes of implementation. Motorists can utilise the government-supported Fuel Finder website to ensure they’re getting a fair deal and aren’t being overcharged by their local garage.
During a recent parliamentary written question, Luke Evans, Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Health and Social Care), asked Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband: “When his Department plans to publish the Fuel Finder Website.”
Martin McCluskey, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero), confirmed the scheme launches tomorrow, responding: “The Fuel Finder scheme is now live, with registration open to petrol stations. From 2 February, petrol stations will be required to report their fuel prices within 30 minutes of a change. This data will be made freely available on the Fuel Finder website and integrated into mapping software and price comparison apps, enabling consumers to compare prices easily and make informed decisions on where to buy their fuel.”
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has indicated that with improved transparency and effective price comparison, motorists driving a typical family vehicle could potentially save as much as £4.50 per tank within a five-minute radius.
Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said: “We need to reignite competition among fuel retailers and that means two things. It needs to be easier for drivers to compare up to date prices so retailers have to compete harder for their business.
“This is why we are recommending the UK government legislate for a new fuel finder scheme which would make it compulsory for retailers to make their prices available in real time. This would end the need to drive round and look at the prices displayed on the forecourt and would ideally enable live price data on satnavs and map apps.”
Fuels Industry UK confirmed that implementing the Fuel Finder scheme imposes a compulsory requirement on every forecourt to submit pricing information electronically. The organisation informed its members: “All petrol filling stations in the United Kingdom must participate in the scheme. This applies whether you are an independently operated site or part of a larger group.”
According to RAC data, petrol has averaged 135.69p per litre throughout 2025, whilst diesel has averaged 142.96p – representing decreases of 6.5p and 5.7p respectively compared to 2024 (2024 – 142.23p and 148.67p). Both fuels hit their lowest points of the year on 9 June, with petrol falling to 132.03p and diesel dropping to 138.14p.
The report highlighted that motorists who shopped around found it beneficial: “Drivers choosing to refuel at a supermarket-operated forecourt saved themselves 3p a litre in December as unleaded sold for an average of 132.65p and diesel for 141.24p, both having come down 1.8p over the month. This equates to a saving of £1.50 a tank when filling up a 55-litre family car. A full tank of petrol at a supermarket costs £72.96, compared to the UK average cost of £74.45. The diesel equivalent is £77.68, versus £79.35.”
Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, expressed optimism about future pricing: “We hope that 2026 will see more competitive pump prices on the back of the Government’s fuel finder scheme going live at the start of February and increasing competition.”
You can visit the Fuel Finder website here or download the app.