Petrol Prices in UAE Today, November 2025

Reviewed By

Mariam Al Mazrouei

Senior SEO Strategist & UAE Fuel Market Research Specialist — 5+ Years Expertise

As residents and businesses across the United Arab Emirates look ahead to the new month, the Federal Fuel Price Committee has confirmed the official petrol and diesel rates for December 2025. This monthly announcement is a critical barometer for both household budgets and the nation’s logistics sector.

For December, the Committee has announced a modest decrease across all grades of fuel. This shift provides welcome relief to daily commuters and offers favorable operating costs for commercial fleets operating in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and all other Emirates, as prices remain uniform nationwide.

This in-depth guide provides the confirmed official rates, a detailed expert analysis of the global economic factors driving these changes, a full historical context, and an initial forecast for the January 2026 announcement.

Official December 2025 Rates

The table below provides the confirmed pricing per litre for all fuel grades in the UAE, effective from December 1, 2025, alongside a comparison to the previous month’s rates.

*All prices include the 5% Value Added Tax (VAT) and are set uniformly across all seven Emirates.

Expert Insight: Why Did the Price Decrease?

The monthly rate adjustment is dictated by the Federal Fuel Price Committee, which evaluates international market trends, operating costs, and the average price of Brent Crude oil. The price drop observed in December 2025 is primarily attributed to three key market forces outside of local control.

[Image of a graph showing Brent Crude oil price fluctuations over the last year]

1. Global Demand Softening & Economic Headwinds

The primary driver behind the modest reduction is a continued softening of global crude oil demand. Ongoing economic headwinds in major consuming nations, particularly in Europe and parts of Asia, have led to decreased industrial output and slower commercial activity. This reduction in demand places downward pressure on the market price of crude oil, which is then reflected in the UAE’s pricing mechanism.

2. OPEC+ Strategy of ‘Cautious Stability’

While OPEC+ has maintained its strategy of production cuts to ensure market stability, the group’s cautious approach aims to prevent oil prices from rising too quickly. This strategy provides a predictable supply environment. The committee’s decision reflects an effort to pass on marginal savings derived from this stable supply outlook and lower acquisition costs in the global wholesale market.

3. Favorable Refining Margins

Refining margins—the cost of turning crude oil into usable petrol products like Super 98 and Special 95—have recently become more favorable. This operational efficiency contributes slightly to the overall final price calculation, helping to offset other internal costs and leading to the minor dip in the per-litre cost.

Impact Assessment: Who Benefits from Lower Prices?

While a drop of 7 fils per litre may seem small, the cumulative savings significantly impact high-usage consumers, fleet operators, and logistics businesses across the UAE.

1. Daily Commuters and Residents (Annual Savings Calculation)

For an average UAE resident driving a standard sedan with a 60-litre fuel tank, the shift saves approximately AED 4.20 per full tank of Super 98. If this resident fills up four times a month, the monthly saving is AED 16.80.

Annual Savings Estimate: This small change translates to an estimated annual saving of over AED 200 for the average family, money that can be reallocated to other essential household expenses.

2. Fleet Owners and Logistics Businesses (Diesel Savings)

The most significant decrease was seen in Diesel prices, dropping by 11 fils per litre. This is a crucial financial benefit for the logistics and transport sector, which relies heavily on diesel.

A large commercial truck or heavy machine that consumes hundreds of litres of diesel daily will see substantial monthly operational cost reductions. These savings help lower inflation and stabilize the cost of goods transported across the Emirates.

3. Ride-Hailing and Taxi Operators

Operators in the ride-hailing and taxi industries, who often fill up vehicles two to three times per day, benefit immediately. The reduced cost of Super 98 and Special 95 increases the daily profit margin for drivers and helps maintain competitive pricing for consumers using these services.

Historical Context: Tracking UAE Fuel Prices Over Time

Understanding the current rates requires looking at the historical trend. Since the deregulation of fuel prices in the UAE in 2015, rates have fluctuated based on the global market.

Last 12 Months: Price Trends vs. Current Rate

The following table demonstrates the monthly price volatility for Super 98 over the last year, showing how the December 2025 rate of AED 2.58 compares to recent peaks and troughs.

Key Milestones

The current December 2025 rate remains significantly lower than the highest recorded price, which peaked around AED 4.63 in July 2022. It is also, however, higher than the record low seen in August 2016 following the initial deregulation.

Fuel Grade Guide: Maximizing Performance and Longevity

The UAE offers three grades of petrol, each defined by its Research Octane Number (RON). Using the correct fuel grade is essential for the longevity and performance of your vehicle.

 

Important Note: Always check the sticker inside your vehicle’s fuel flap or the owner’s manual to find the minimum recommended RON rating for your car. Using a lower-octane fuel than recommended can lead to engine knocking and long-term damage.

Optimization Tips: Practical Tips for Fuel Consumption

1. Maintain Proper Tyre Pressure: Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, forcing your engine to work harder. Check pressures monthly, especially during temperature changes.
2. Avoid Excessive Idling: If you expect to be stationary for more than 60 seconds (excluding traffic jams), turn off the engine. Idling consumes a significant amount of fuel with zero mileage gain.
3. Drive Smoothly: Avoid aggressive acceleration and braking. Smooth, steady driving reduces fuel demand. Maintaining a consistent speed on highways (around 100-110 km/h) is the most fuel-efficient.
4. Reduce Excess Weight: Remove any unnecessary heavy items from your car boot. Less weight means less strain on the engine.
5. Use Cruise Control: On clear highways, using cruise control helps maintain a constant speed, preventing the constant micro-adjustments that waste fuel.

Future Outlook: January 2026 Price Forecast

Looking ahead, the global market remains sensitive to geopolitical developments and the long-term supply agreements of OPEC+. Given the current market stability and the minor price correction in December, the outlook for January 2026 is cautious.

Forecast: While no dramatic drops are anticipated, the market suggests prices will either remain stable or potentially see another minor adjustment downward if global economic growth forecasts continue to moderate. The official announcement for the January 2026 rates will be made by the Federal Fuel Price Committee between the 28th and 31st of December.

FAQs: Quick Answers to Your Fuel Price Questions