Google Maps adds live UK fuel prices
UK motorists can now see live fuel prices on Google Maps
Saturday, 10 October 2026
Photo by Peter Plisner on Unsplash
Warm-up
- How do you choose where to buy petrol or diesel?
- What apps do you use when you drive? Why?
- When did fuel prices last surprise you? What happened?
Vocabulary
- motorist
- a person who drives a car
- forecourt
- the area in front of a petrol station where you fill up
- diesel
- a type of fuel used by many cars, vans and lorries
- competition
- businesses trying to offer better prices or services than others
- transparent
- easy to see and understand; not hidden
- retailer
- a business that sells goods to the public
- government
- the group of people who lead a country and make rules
- app
- a program you use on a phone or tablet
Reading
Listen to this story
British EnglishFrom Thursday, drivers in the UK can see live petrol and diesel prices in Google Maps. The app uses data from the government’s Fuel Finder platform. It shows real-time prices at about 99% of forecourts. Users can search nearby stations and compare the cheapest options before they set off.
The change aims to make pump prices more transparent. It should boost competition between fuel retailers. Many motorists face high costs. The average price of diesel recently hit a record £2 a litre in the UK.
Fuel Finder launched in February after a recommendation from the Competition and Markets Authority. It already appears in apps such as Waze and the AA. Officials say clear prices should help people save money. They hope stations keep prices fair.
Comprehension
- What new information does Google Maps show in the UK?
- Which platform provides the price data to Google Maps?
- About what percentage of forecourts does Fuel Finder cover?
- What recent record price is mentioned for diesel?
- Why is Google adding live prices to the map?
Grammar focus
Phrasal verbs (inseparable)
Some phrasal verbs are inseparable: the verb and particle stay together; you can’t put the object between them. Form: verb + particle + object (look after someone, come across something). (Examples constructed.)
- Drivers set off after checking prices.
- Users log in to see nearby stations.
Grammar exercise
Choose the correct option in each sentence.
- Stations (look after customers / look customers after) well.
- Users (listen updates to / listen to updates) at home.
- Drivers (agree with rules / agree rules with) online.
- Many motorists (rely maps on / rely on maps) when travelling.
- Apps (look prices into / look into prices) daily.
Discussion
- Would this feature change where you buy fuel? Why or why not?
- What other live travel info would you like to see in maps?
- Are price comparison apps common in your country? Give examples.
- Should fuel retailers update prices several times a day? Why?
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