UK government launches Fuel Finder Scheme

The UK government has launched its Fuel Finder Scheme, a service they claim could help with “strengthening competition” and save the average household up to £40 a year.

Originally announced in 2025’s Budget and coming into force on Monday 2 February, 2026, the Fuel Finder Scheme means it is compulsory for garages and fuel stations to report their prices to the government.

These will then be available to motorists via comparison websites, apps and professional organisations.

These prices are then available to third-party apps and websites, enabling motorists the chance to find the cheapest petrol stations near them. According to a BBC report, motoring groups claim it sometimes costs drivers up to 20p more per litre to fill up at different stations.

What does the Fuel Finder Scheme mean for businesses?

• Businesses have to register all the forecourts they own - and new ones within seven days.
• It will be mandatory for businesses to update changes to fuel prices within 30 minutes.
• Businesses will have to notify changes to facilities (car washes, air pumps, toilets) within 3 days.

Many petrol stations already voluntarily provide this information, but now they are legally required to do so - with potential sanctions for any that refuse or are unable to do so.

As reported in the Manchester Evening News, The Competition and Market Authority (CMA) has previously recommended more transparency in petrol prices.

Similar Fuel Finder Schemes are already in place in Germany and Australia, but there are some concerns from industry professionals around the service leading to multiple price changes a day which could confuse motorists.

What are experts saying about the Fuel Finder Scheme?

On the launch of the scheme, Martin McCluskey, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) said: “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 RAC has welcomed the launch, with Head of Policy Simon Williams saying: “We hope this is the start of the journey to cheaper fuel prices around the UK. The Government has set up this scheme with the intention of increasing competition among retailers to give drivers better value at the pumps. As a growing number of the country’s 8,300 forecourts submit their prices on a daily basis, drivers will be able to easily find the cheapest forecourts near them using their favoured app or sat-nav."

How does the Fuel Finder Scheme work?

The Fuel Finder Government Scheme API has been integrated by the aptly named Fuel Finder UK. A company that wants ‘truly transparent fuel pricing for UK drivers’, their API will help ensure drivers get:

• More accurate prices for petrol stations.
• Faster updates (not quite real time, but within 15 minutes).
• Wider coverage.

To find out more about the Fuel Finder Scheme - and prices in petrol stations near you/update the fuel prices if you are a motor fuel trader - visit www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-finder.

Sources

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/access-the-latest-fuel-prices-and-forecourt-data-via-api-or-email

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp80dpzdg37o

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/l0057xp2/new-rules-on-fuel-prices-in-uk

https://www.fuel-finder.uk/blog/official-fuel-finder-government-scheme-api-integrated/

https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/big-change-rule-force-uk-36651915

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/uk-petrol-stations-implement-new-33343676

https://media.rac.co.uk/government-launches-fuel-finder-scheme-today-rac-comment