UAE drivers are about to get good news. With Brent crude crashing 15% after the Iran-US ceasefire (from $109/barrel to ~$95/barrel), May 2026 UAE fuel prices are likely to drop 10-15% when the Fuel Price Committee makes its monthly announcement on April 30. For a typical driver, this means saving AED 60-105 per month, or AED 720-1,260 annually. Heavy users could save AED 200-400 per month.
This guide gives you the exact calculations for your savings, explains how the UAE pricing system works, and helps you understand whether to expect bigger drops in June and beyond. With the ceasefire potentially ending the war risk premium permanently, fuel prices could continue declining for months.
Current UAE Fuel Prices (April 2026)
| Grade | April 2026 Price | Pre-War (Feb 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Special 95 | AED 3.07/liter | AED 2.85 |
| Super 98 | AED 3.18/liter | AED 2.96 |
| E-Plus 91 | AED 3.00/liter | AED 2.78 |
| Diesel | AED 3.20/liter | AED 2.94 |
April 2026 prices are about 8% above pre-war levels, reflecting the war risk premium that built into global oil prices. With the ceasefire eliminating most of that premium, May prices should reverse most of this increase.
Expected May 2026 Prices
| Grade | April 2026 | May 2026 (Estimated) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special 95 | AED 3.07/liter | AED 2.65-2.78 | -10 to -14% |
| Super 98 | AED 3.18/liter | AED 2.75-2.88 | -10 to -14% |
| E-Plus 91 | AED 3.00/liter | AED 2.58-2.72 | -10 to -14% |
| Diesel | AED 3.20/liter | AED 2.78-2.92 | -10 to -13% |
Calculate Your Savings
Typical Driver Profile
For a UAE driver who:
- Drives ~16,000 km/year (typical commute + weekends)
- Vehicle averages 12.5 km/liter (compact sedan)
- Annual fuel consumption: 1,280 liters
- Monthly consumption: ~107 liters
| Period | April Cost | May Cost (Est.) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly (107 L) | AED 328 | AED 285-298 | AED 30-43 |
| Annual (1,280 L) | AED 3,930 | AED 3,392-3,558 | AED 372-538 |
Heavy User Profile
For a UAE driver who:
- Drives ~30,000 km/year (sales rep, taxi driver, multi-job commuter)
- Vehicle averages 10 km/liter (SUV)
- Annual fuel consumption: 3,000 liters
- Monthly consumption: 250 liters
| Period | April Cost | May Cost (Est.) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly (250 L) | AED 768 | AED 663-695 | AED 73-105 |
| Annual (3,000 L) | AED 9,210 | AED 7,950-8,340 | AED 870-1,260 |
Family Profile (Two Cars)
For a UAE family with two cars (one daily commuter + one family SUV):
- Combined annual fuel: 4,500 liters
- Combined monthly: 375 liters
| Period | April Cost | May Cost (Est.) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly (375 L) | AED 1,151 | AED 994-1,043 | AED 108-157 |
| Annual (4,500 L) | AED 13,815 | AED 11,925-12,510 | AED 1,305-1,890 |
How UAE Pricing Works
The UAE has used a deregulated fuel pricing model since August 2015. Each month, the Fuel Price Committee (under the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure) calculates new prices based on:
- Average Brent crude price for the past 30 days
- Refining costs at major Asian refineries
- Transportation from refineries to UAE distribution
- Marketing and distribution margins for ADNOC, Emarat, ENOC
- Federal taxes and fees
The new prices take effect on the 1st of each month. The April 30 announcement will be the first to fully capture the post-ceasefire oil price environment.
Beyond May: What to Expect for the Rest of 2026
| Month | Bull Case (Special 95) | Base Case | Bear Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | AED 2.65 | AED 2.72 | AED 2.85 |
| June 2026 | AED 2.55 | AED 2.65 | AED 2.90 |
| July 2026 | AED 2.50 | AED 2.62 | AED 2.95 |
| August 2026 | AED 2.55 | AED 2.68 | AED 3.00 |
The bull case assumes the ceasefire becomes permanent and Hormuz fully reopens. The base case assumes the current ceasefire holds with gradual normalization. The bear case requires the ceasefire to fail and the war to resume.
Smart Money Tips for UAE Drivers
Tip 1: Don’t Stockpile Fuel
Some drivers consider filling extra tanks before potential price increases. This is risky and rarely worthwhile. Storage is expensive, fuel degrades, and small price changes don’t justify the complexity. Just fill up normally.
Tip 2: Use the Right Grade
Most modern cars run perfectly on Special 95. You don’t need Super 98 unless your car manual specifically requires it. Switching from Super 98 to Special 95 saves AED 0.11/liter — roughly AED 12-15 per month for a typical driver.
Tip 3: Track Your Consumption
Use the savings from lower fuel prices to fund: (1) your emergency fund, (2) gold investment, (3) extra mortgage payments, (4) education savings. Don’t let lower prices encourage you to drive more — that defeats the savings.
Tip 4: Consider Electric Vehicles
UAE is investing heavily in EV infrastructure. With electricity costs significantly lower than fuel, EVs make economic sense for many drivers. If you’re due for a new car, consider a hybrid or full EV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will UAE fuel prices drop in May 2026?
Probably yes, by 10-15%, after the Iran ceasefire and oil price crash.
How much will I save?
Typical driver: AED 30-43/month. Heavy user: AED 73-105/month.
What were UAE fuel prices in April?
Special 95: AED 3.07, Super 98: AED 3.18, Diesel: AED 3.20.
When does UAE announce fuel prices?
Last working day of each month, effective from 1st of next month.
How is UAE fuel price calculated?
Based on average Brent price, refining costs, transportation, margins, and taxes.
Related Articles
For more, see ADNOC Distribution, Bloomberg Middle East, and The National UAE.
Last Updated: April 8, 2026
