News summary: The UAE introduced higher petrol and diesel prices on 1 September 2026. Super 98 now costs AED 3.80 per litre, Special 95 is AED 3.69, E-Plus 91 is AED 3.61 and diesel has reached AED 4.30 per litre.
Motorists and transport businesses across the UAE are paying more for fuel in September after the Fuel Price Committee approved increases for every petrol grade and diesel. The new prices took effect on 1 September 2026 and will apply throughout the month. Petrol rose by AED 0.20 per litre, while diesel increased more sharply by AED 0.50 per liter. The committee said petrol adjustments ranged from 5.56% to 5.87%. The prices were determined under the UAE’s monthly mechanism, which follows changes in global energy markets and reflects domestic market conditions.
UAE fuel prices for September 2026
| Fuel type | September price | August price | Increase |
| Super 98 | AED 3.80/L | AED 3.60/L | AED 0.20 |
| Special 95 | AED 3.69/L | AED 3.49/L | AED 0.20 |
| E-Plus 91 | AED 3.61/L | AED 3.41/L | AED 0.20 |
| Diesel | AED 4.30/L | AED 3.80/L | AED 0.50 |
The September and August rates were confirmed by the UAE Fuel Price Committee.
Percentage-wise, Super 98 increased by approximately 5.56%, Special 95 by 5.73% and E-Plus 91 by 5.87%. Diesel recorded the largest movement, rising by approximately 13.16% compared with August.
How much more will a full tank cost?
The impact on an individual fill-up depends on the vehicle’s tank capacity and how empty it is when refuelling.
For petrol vehicles, the AED 0.20-per-litre increase means:
- A 40-litre fill costs up to AED 8 more.
- A 50-litre fill costs up to AED 10 more.
- A 60-litre fill costs up to AED 12 more.
- An 80-litre fill costs up to AED 16 more.
A 60-litre tank filled with Special 95 now costs AED 221.40, compared with AED 209.40 in August. Filling the same tank with Super 98 costs AED 228. Diesel users face a greater increase. A 60-litre diesel fill now costs AED 258—AED 30 more than it would have cost at August’s rate.
The additional cost may be particularly noticeable for delivery operators, logistics companies, mobile service providers and other businesses whose vehicles travel long distances every day.
Which petrol grade should motorists choose?
Drivers should continue using the fuel grade recommended by their vehicle manufacturer. The correct grade can normally be found inside the fuel door, in the owner’s manual or through an authorised service centre.
Choosing a lower octane rating merely to reduce costs may not be appropriate if the vehicle requires a higher grade. Using a more expensive grade than the manufacturer recommends also does not automatically improve performance or fuel economy.
It is increasingly essential for drivers to develop fuel-saving practices
Even though drivers have no control over the price at the fuel pumps each month, they can save on fuel by adopting simple car maintenance practices and good driving skills.
Adopting proper tyre pressure, minimizing idling, discarding unnecessary weight in the car and smooth acceleration can all assist with minimizing the use of fuel. Service is also crucial since damaged components, under-inflated tires and problems in the engine may contribute to inefficiency.
Fleet managers could also gain from evaluating route efficiency, idling and fuel usage per vehicle.
Why do UAE fuel prices change monthly?
The UAE Fuel Price Committee reviews retail fuel prices at the end of each month. According to the official September announcement, its pricing mechanism tracks global energy-price movements while accounting for changes in the domestic market.
This means petrol and diesel prices can move up or down from one month to the next. The September increase followed higher August rates, when all four fuel categories had already risen compared with July.
The next monthly announcement is expected near the end of September and will determine the UAE fuel prices applying from 1 October 2026.
SOURCES
- Emirates News Agency — September fuel-price announcement — official September rates and pricing mechanism.
- Emirates News Agency — August fuel-price announcement — official August rates used for comparison.
- Gulf News — UAE September fuel prices — effective date and month-to-month changes.