The UK Government’s newly launched fuel price tool, designed to help motorists find real-time petrol and diesel prices at local forecourts, has faced criticism from industry experts over its accuracy and reliability. The tool, integrated with Google Maps, was introduced amid record-high pump prices as part of broader efforts to ease the financial strain on drivers.

Clare Lafferty, commercial director at PetrolPrices, expressed concerns about the tool's updates, warning that the fuel price information does not appear to be refreshed regularly. “Motorists are relying on this information to make real decisions about where to fill up. If a driver travels to a forecourt based on a price they have been shown, only to find that the information is out of date, it undermines confidence in the entire scheme,” Lafferty said.

Additionally, PetrolPrices highlighted that the Fuel Finder tool covers approximately 97 percent of petrol stations nationwide, but some sites have not registered with the scheme. Others are failing to update their prices every 30 minutes as stipulated, leading to further discrepancies. The company identified over 200 stations that may have not uploaded current prices consistently during September.

The Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero defended the initiative, emphasizing its role in tackling the ongoing affordability crisis. Officials pointed to Fuel Finder as a key measure alongside freezing fuel duty, reducing VAT on electricity bills, and instituting a £2 cap on bus fares in England, aiming to provide families with financial relief in the current challenging economic environment.

Experts, however, have urged Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, and other policymakers to consider additional measures such as cutting fuel duty to further alleviate pressure on consumers. The debate continues as rising fuel costs remain a pressing issue for households across the UK.