UK launches mandatory Fuel Finder scheme
Published on: Feb 12, 2026
Operators must submit any petrol or diesel price change to a central database within 30 minutes.
Drivers across the UK now have access to near real‑time fuel price data after a new nationwide reporting system, Fuel Finder, became legally mandatory for petrol stations this week. Under the scheme, operators must submit any petrol or diesel price change to a central database within 30 minutes, making the information publicly available through third‑party apps, websites and in‑car navigation systems.
The government says the move is designed to introduce greater transparency and sharper competition in a market long criticised for inconsistent pricing and limited incentives. Finance minister Rachel Reeves has argued that more visible pricing could save households around £40 a year, with retailers expected to respond more keenly to local competition.
Until now, many price comparison tools relied on voluntary or crowdsourced updates, often leaving motorists with patchy or outdated information. Mandatory reporting is expected to provide a clearer view of sudden price shifts and highlight differences between nearby stations more reliably.
For drivers, the system requires no new app: Fuel Finder data is released as open data, free for any developer to use. The government will not operate its own platform, instead relying on existing price comparison services to integrate the new feeds.
The scheme is overseen by the Competition and Markets Authority, which will focus initially on supporting retailers through the transition before enforcing compliance more robustly.
