The UK government introduced a new rule in February 2026 that requires all petrol and diesel stations to report their fuel prices, a move designed to help drivers find the cheapest rates without driving around. The Fuel Finder scheme, launched by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, mandates that stations share live pricing data, which is then compiled and distributed to comparison tools such as Confused.com, Petrol Prices, and RAC Fuel Watch.
How the Scheme Works
Under the new regulations, every petrol station must submit their fuel prices to a central database. This information is updated in near real-time, allowing drivers to access the latest rates via apps and websites. The government expects this transparency to strengthen competition among retailers, potentially lowering costs for all motorists. A statement from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “Drivers should not have to guess whether they are being overcharged, which is why the government introduced Fuel Finder at the start of this year to make it easier to see which stations are cheapest locally and take business away from the priciest pumps.”
Potential Savings for Drivers
Officials estimate that the Fuel Finder scheme could save households an average of £40 per year by enabling them to choose cheaper stations. The Competition and Markets Authority has the power to take enforcement action against any petrol stations that fail to share pricing data. Additionally, motorists can report discrepancies to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero if they find that a station's actual price does not match the reported data.
Impact on Fuel Costs
Fuel costs remain a significant burden for UK drivers, with prices having risen sharply due to global oil disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. According to the latest RAC Fuel Watch data, petrol prices are still 20.3p higher than at the end of February 2026, while diesel is up 28.6p. The Fuel Finder scheme aims to mitigate these pressures by promoting price competition.
Government and Industry Response
Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey commented: “Tackling the cost of living is this government’s number one priority, which is why we launched Fuel Finder to force all petrol stations to share their prices. It is good to see that a growing number of apps and websites are now using this data, helping drivers shop around for the best deal at the pump.” The scheme has been welcomed by consumer groups, though some petrol station operators have raised concerns about the administrative burden.
