(qlmbusinessnews.com . Tue 23rd Dec, 2025) London, UK —
Fuel Finder Scheme Set to Revolutionize How UK Motorists Buy Petrol and Diesel
Motorists across the UK might be shelling out more than necessary for their petrol and diesel, warned the country's antitrust body. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) reported that even as the cost at the pumps has decreased, the profit margins for fuel remain “persistently high” and dismissed the retailers' justification of raised operational costs for this surge. The authority also highlighted the “weak” competitive nature of the sector.
Contrasting with the CMA's findings, the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) insisted that the declining fuel prices were evidence of robust competition among retailers.
This comes ahead of the government's rollout of the “fuel finder” scheme designed to enable drivers to compare real-time prices of fuel, marking a significant shift in how motorists purchase petrol and diesel.
Recent figures pinpoint petrol prices at 136.8p per litre and diesel at 146.1p per litre, marking a notable decrease largely attributed to the dip in oil prices, as per the government's data. The CMA's scrutiny, however, reveals that despite the drop in prices, supermarket and independent fuel retailers are experiencing “historically high” profit margins.
The assertion by fuel retailers of ballooning operating costs was critiqued by the CMA, arguing that under these conditions, a decline in profit margins would be expected, which has not been the case.
By facilitating better competition through the introduction of the fuel finder scheme, which mandates retailers to update prices within 30 minutes of changes, the CMA believes that consumers will benefit from more favourable fuel prices. The scheme promises ease of access through applications and satellite navigation systems, pushing retailers to vie more aggressively for customers, potentially leading to lower prices.
The authority has warned of taking action, including fines, against retailers failing to comply with the fuel finder's regulations.
Dan Turnbull, a high-ranking official at the CMA, stressed that the high fuel profit margins cannot be justified by operating costs alone, highlighting the burden on motorists, especially during the festive season.
Gordon Balmer of the PRA acknowledged the association's willingness to engage constructively with the CMA and participate in the fuel finder scheme, despite pointing out the significant increases in labour, taxation, energy, and crime costs faced by retailers.
Both the RAC and the AA have voiced concerns over drivers being overcharged for fuel. The AA highlighted a disparity between the fall in wholesale petrol costs and the relatively minor reduction at the pump. The RAC emphasised the widespread frustration among drivers concerning price inconsistencies, critically viewing the retailers' claims of higher operating expenses which the CMA has now refuted.
The anticipation surrounding the new fuel finder scheme, alongside the CMA's ongoing examination, holds the promise of fostering increased competition and, consequently, reduced fuel charges for UK drivers.
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