UK motorists can now search for live petrol and diesel prices on Google Maps, starting Thursday. The feature lets drivers find the cheapest fuel at local forecourts without visiting multiple petrol stations.
Google Maps will display real-time pump prices across the UK. Users searching for a forecourt in the app will see current petrol and diesel costs, enabling them to compare prices before filling up.
The move comes after diesel prices hit a record £2 per litre. Campaigners call the feature "a major development" in making fuel prices more transparent and fair. Greater price visibility is expected to encourage competition among petrol stations, potentially putting downward pressure on pump costs.
The feature does not yet address a core tension in UK fuel markets. Petrol stations often adjust prices at different times, and independent forecourts may not participate in price-sharing systems used by major chains. The real benefit will depend on how many stations provide live data to Google.