Commuters and families could be the most affected by a new petrol station rule change that came into effect earlier this week, according to specialists. From Monday, fuel stations are legally obliged to report up-to-date petrol and diesel pricing to the Competition and Market Authority (CMA) fuel finder.
This information is passed onto third-party applications such as the RAC, AA and PetrolPrices, so road users can quickly see which stations have the lowest rates. Fuel stations were already able to voluntarily share information with the CMA but the new policies mean forms will have to act within 30 minutes.
Matt Crole-Rees, motoring expert at Confused.com, stressed the new rule will offer “better value” for road users, with commuters and families likely to benefit more.
Matt said: “Fuel costs remain a major pressure for many households, so greater transparency around petrol and diesel prices is a positive step for drivers. Clearer pricing makes it easier to compare costs between stations and avoid overpaying, particularly when prices can vary significantly even within the same town.
“For motorists, this change should help take some of the guesswork out of filling up. Being able to quickly see which stations offer better value means drivers can make more informed decisions and potentially save money over time - especially for those who rely on their car for commuting or family travel.
“Fuel prices continue to fluctuate as they have done for a while, so it’s worth checking prices regularly rather than assuming your usual station is the cheapest.”
The CMA said that the goal of the new fuel finder was to “reignite competition,” allowing retailers to work harder to win over consumers. The average commuter travels around 2,200 extra miles per year, which on top of their personal travel, accounts to around 7,100 miles every 12 months.
Those with large families may travel between 8,000 and 12,000 miles per year due to a higher number of commitments.In comparison, those not travelling into the office often fall into a "low mileage" category, with many racking up just 5,000–6,000 miles every year.
It means commuters and families will fill up a lot more often, benefiting most from any slight savings in fuel fees.
