Fuel prices from Hayes to Heathrow now show on Google Maps under government scheme

Drivers across West London can now see petrol and diesel prices at nearby forecourts on Google Maps. The change, which also applies to the Waze navigation app, went live across the UK on Thursday 8 October.

The prices come from the government's Fuel Finder scheme, which the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero runs. Under the scheme, petrol stations must report any change to their prices within 30 minutes.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the update on the day it launched. He said people were worried about fuel prices and that drivers could now compare nearby stations and find the cheapest option before filling up. He described it as "a small change" that could help people keep more money in their pockets.

How it works

Searching for petrol stations in Google Maps now brings up nearby forecourts with their current prices. Drivers can also see prices while browsing the map. To keep the map uncluttered, the main map view shows only a headline price, and more detail is available for each station.

Around Hayes, the map showed small differences between neighbouring forecourts on launch day. The Tesco petrol station and the bp garage off Hayes Road, near The Parkway roundabout, were listed a couple of pence a litre apart. Prices change often, so drivers should check before they travel.

The government says the scheme now covers around 99 per cent of all fuel sold in the UK. It estimates that households with a car could save around £40 a year by shopping around.

The Fuel Finder scheme

Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed Fuel Finder in the 2025 Budget, and it came into force earlier this year. Since then, all UK petrol stations have had to report their prices to a central database, and approved apps and websites can display the data in close to real time.

The aim is to increase competition between forecourts by making price differences easy to see. Before the scheme, price comparison relied largely on voluntary data or on drivers reporting prices themselves.

Diesel near record levels

The launch came at a time of high pump prices. According to RAC figures, the average price of diesel in the UK reached a record 199.18p a litre at the end of September. That beat the previous high of 199.09p, set in June 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Money and Pensions Service had already urged motorists to shop around for fuel as prices climbed.

Not everyone welcomed the announcement. Critics called the map update a cosmetic gesture and argued that drivers and businesses facing higher costs needed more direct help.

For drivers in Hayes, Southall and the surrounding area, the practical advice is unchanged: compare prices before filling up. Forecourts only a short distance apart can charge noticeably different amounts.