Fuel prices displayed on Google Maps for 1st time amid rising energy costs in UK

Households with car expected to save average of $52 year

Google Maps began displaying near real-time fuel prices in the UK on Thursday for the first time to help drivers find cheaper petrol and diesel amid soaring energy costs. Checking local fuel prices is now “as simple as” opening Google Maps and searching for a nearby petrol station, with near real-time prices for petrol and diesel displayed on the app, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said in a statement. “At a time when the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has been pushing up fuel prices for drivers, comparing prices can save households who own a car around £40 ($52) a year,” it noted. Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey said getting the best price at the pump is now easier, although “this doesn’t fix everything.” According to the government, the Fuel Finder scheme was created to help drivers access more competitive fuel prices following a recommendation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Since February, petrol stations across the UK have been required to report fuel price changes within 30 minutes or risk a fine. The move comes days after the price of diesel topped £2 ($2.64) per liter for the first time.