Fuel price transparency has taken a step forward this week after UK forecourts were required to begin submitting live pump price updates into a new Government-backed open data system.
From 2 February, filling stations must report any fuel price changes within 30 minutes. Instead of introducing a single consumer app, the scheme provides a live national dataset that comparison apps, websites, journalists and researchers can use to power their own fuel price tools.
You can access the Fuel Finder scheme through the GOV.UK
The move follows a Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation, which found competition in the petrol and diesel retail market had weakened, leaving drivers paying more than necessary.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said the data initiative could help drive stronger competition and better value at the pump as price visibility improves nationwide.
For fleets, the impact could be more significant. Matthew Walters, head of consultancy and customer value at Ayvens UK, said that while households may save around £40 a year, “for fleets refuelling at scale the potential savings are significantly higher”.
He added that when fuel price data is combined with telematics, route planning and wider fleet tools, it enables tighter cost control, better decision-making and clearer evidence when managing one of fleets’ largest variable costs.
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