UAE fuel prices rose across every grade on 1 August 2026. Here are the new rates, and — more usefully — what the increase actually costs you at the pump.
Effective 1 August 2026
The new rates
| Grade | August | July | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super 98 | 3.60 | 3.40 | +5.9% |
| Special 95 | 3.49 | 3.29 | +6.1% |
| E-Plus 91 | 3.41 | 3.21 | +6.2% |
| Diesel | 3.80 | 3.60 | +5.6% |
Prices in AED per litre. Approved by the UAE Fuel Price Committee and effective from 1 August 2026.
What it costs you per tank
| Tank size | Special 95 in August | vs July | vs February |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 litres | 139.60 | +8.00 | +46.40 |
| 50 litres | 174.50 | +10.00 | +58.00 |
| 60 litres | 209.40 | +12.00 | +69.60 |
| 70 litres | 244.30 | +14.00 | +81.20 |
If you fill a 50-litre tank once a week, August costs you roughly AED 40 a month more than July — and about AED 230 a month more than you were paying in February.
The bigger picture: a volatile year
August’s rise is modest on its own, but it lands on top of an unusually turbulent year. Retail fuel prices climbed sharply from late February through June amid regional conflict and disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, rising more than 60 per cent before falling back in July.
For context, in February 2026 Special 95 stood at AED 2.33 and diesel at AED 2.52. Against those figures, today’s prices represent a substantial increase in what is, for most households, a fixed and unavoidable monthly cost.
How UAE fuel pricing works
Petrol and diesel prices were deregulated by the UAE Cabinet in 2015, linking retail rates to global markets through a monthly committee review. The mechanism uses the previous month’s average international oil price rather than daily movements, which is why a single volatile week rarely shows up at the pump but a sustained shift always does.
New rates are announced on the final day of each month and take effect the following day. So September’s prices will be known on 31 August.
What to do about it
Fuel is only part of what driving costs you. On a two-gate commute, Salik alone runs about AED 554 a month at peak — and shifting both legs off-peak saves roughly AED 184 a month, which comfortably outweighs this fuel increase. If you’re reviewing your commute, that’s the larger lever. See Public Transport for the full metro-versus-driving comparison.
For the wider household picture, Money Saving Guide sets out where transport sits against rent, utilities and the other fixed costs.
Published 5 August 2026. Rates apply from 1 August 2026 and are revised monthly. Per-tank figures are calculated from the Special 95 rate and are indicative. We’ll update this page when September’s prices are announced.
Related Guides
- Public Transport — Nol fares against Salik peak pricing, worked out monthly
- Money Saving Guide — where transport sits in a realistic UAE budget
- UAE Updates — every fee, fare and rule change we track
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