UAE motorists are bracing for a third straight month of fuel price increases, with new petrol and diesel rates taking effect from October 1. According to the UAE's fuel price committee, Super 98 petrol will cost Dh4.40 per litre, up from Dh3.80 in September, a jump of about 15.7 per cent. Special 95 rises from Dh3.69 to Dh4.28 per litre, an increase of roughly 16 per cent, while the more affordable E-Plus 91 sees the steepest climb, from Dh3.61 to Dh4.21, up 16.6 per cent. Diesel prices increase from Dh4.30 to Dh4.80 per litre, a rise of about 11.6 per cent.
The increases track elevated global crude prices, with Brent crude nearing $110 a barrel amid persistent geopolitical uncertainty. Analysts point to tension around shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz and lingering doubts over potential US-Iran negotiations as key drivers pushing benchmark oil prices higher.
The back-to-back monthly increases have prompted many Dubai residents to queue at petrol stations in the final days of September to fill up before the new rates took hold, with some drivers reporting long waits at busy stations. For commuters who rely on private vehicles for daily travel, the change adds a tangible cost to household budgets, and some have said they are reconsidering carpooling or public transport options to offset the impact.
Industry watchers note that fuel prices in the UAE are reviewed monthly based on international benchmarks, meaning further volatility could follow if crude markets remain unsettled. For now, residents are being advised to plan fuel purchases and travel budgets around the new October rates, which mark one of the sharpest monthly increases so far this year.