A significant regulatory shift is set to transform the experience of refuelling for drivers across the United Kingdom, as a major new scheme becomes mandatory from tomorrow. The Fuel Finder Scheme, designed to enhance transparency and competition in the road fuel market, will require every petrol station in the country to report their fuel prices within 30 minutes of any change.
How the Fuel Finder Scheme Works
From Monday, February 2, all forecourts, whether independently operated or part of larger groups, must participate in this government-backed initiative. The collected data will be made freely available on the dedicated Fuel Finder website and integrated into popular mapping software and price comparison applications. This move aims to empower consumers with near real-time information, enabling them to compare prices easily and make more informed decisions about where to purchase their fuel.
Official Statements and Parliamentary Insight
In a recent parliamentary written question, Luke Evans, the Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary for Health and Social Care, inquired about the launch timeline for the Fuel Finder Website. Martin McCluskey, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, confirmed the scheme is now live, with registration open to petrol stations. He emphasised that from February 2, the mandatory reporting requirement will be enforced, with data disseminated to aid consumer choice.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been a vocal advocate for such measures. Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, stated that reigniting competition among fuel retailers necessitates making it easier for drivers to compare up-to-date prices, thereby forcing retailers to compete more vigorously for business. The CMA recommends that this scheme be legislated to ensure compliance, ultimately eliminating the need for drivers to physically scout forecourts for displayed prices and potentially enabling live price data on satnavs and map apps.
Potential Savings for Drivers
The CMA estimates that with greater transparency and effective shopping around, the driver of a typical family car could save up to £4.50 per tank within a five-minute drive. This aligns with findings from the RAC, which noted that throughout 2025, petrol averaged 135.69p per litre and diesel 142.96p, representing decreases of 6.5p and 5.7p respectively compared to 2024 figures.
Further analysis reveals that drivers who shopped around in December 2025, particularly at supermarket-operated forecourts, saved approximately 3p per litre. For unleaded petrol, the average price was 132.65p, and for diesel, 141.24p, both down by 1.8p over the month. This translates to a saving of £1.50 when filling a 55-litre family car. A full tank of petrol at a supermarket cost £72.96, compared to the UK average of £74.45, with diesel at £77.68 versus £79.35.
Industry and Consumer Response
Fuels Industry UK has communicated to its members that the introduction of the Fuel Finder Scheme places a mandatory obligation on all forecourts to submit their pricing data electronically, underscoring the universal applicability of the rule. Simon Williams, Head of Policy at the RAC, expressed hope that 2026 will see more competitive pump prices as a direct result of the government's Fuel Finder Scheme going live at the start of February, which is expected to increase market competition.
This initiative marks a pivotal step towards a more transparent and consumer-friendly fuel market in the UK, potentially leading to substantial savings for millions of drivers. The Fuel Finder website and accompanying mobile application are now accessible for public use, providing a crucial tool for navigating fuel costs in real-time.
