Diesel vs Petrol Price Chart in UAE (Updated October 2025)

The landscape of fuel pricing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is defined by a commitment to market alignment and operational transparency. Since the introduction of a deregulated pricing model in August 2015, the monthly fluctuations experienced by consumers and commercial operators are a direct reflection of dynamics within the international crude oil and refined product markets.

This departure from historic fuel subsidies was a strategic governmental decision aimed at fostering sustainable consumption habits, encouraging the adoption of alternative fuels like Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), and ensuring comprehensive economic balance.

The Regulatory Framework and the Fuel Price Committee

Fuel prices across the UAE are not determined arbitrarily but are subjected to a rigorous and standardized monthly review process. This mandate falls to the UAE Fuel Price Committee, which acts as the official body for retail pricing regulation.

This committee comprises representatives from key governmental entities, including the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure and the Ministry of Finance.

The primary function of the committee is to review global trends, specifically the benchmarks for refined petroleum products, and announce the adjusted rates typically during the final days of each month. These newly approved rates then take immediate effect on the 1st day of the subsequent month.

This transparent, monthly system ensures that domestic fuel prices, whether for petrol grades or diesel, accurately reflect international market conditions, thereby promoting fairness and accountability in pricing.

Significance of the Diesel vs. Petrol Comparison

Understanding the difference between diesel and petrol prices is crucial for multiple stakeholders within the UAE economy. For the average private motorist, monthly price shifts directly impact personal budgets and influence major decisions, such as vehicle purchasing, weighing the lower upfront cost of a petrol vehicle against the superior long-term fuel economy of a diesel engine.

However, the analysis holds far greater significance for the commercial sector. For transportation companies, logistics providers, and fleet operators who rely heavily on diesel-powered vehicles, the differential and the overall stability of the diesel price are key indicators of operational expenditure (OPEX).

When diesel prices exhibit volatility, as they often do, the higher costs incurred by logistics firms can quickly translate into increased transportation costs across the entire supply chain, exerting upward pressure on the inflation of goods and services consumed nationwide.

A vital element of the UAE’s pricing policy, which benefits these logistics firms, is the uniformity of fuel prices. The official rates apply consistently across all Emirates, including major hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

This national standard ensures that businesses can operate and budget effectively without navigating localized price disparities, fostering equitable market competition among fuel retailers and logistics companies alike.

Diesel vs Petrol Price Chart (Month-by-Month Comparison January–October 2025)

The pricing data for the first ten months of 2025 illustrates the immediate response of UAE retail prices to global market fluctuations, particularly demonstrating periods of significant divergence between petrol and diesel rates. The official rates presented below apply uniformly across the UAE, covering the three primary petrol grades—Super 98, Special 95, and the more affordable E-Plus 91—alongside the official Diesel price.

Historical UAE Fuel Prices (AED per Litre) January to October 2025

Month	Super 98	Special 95	Diesel	E-Plus 91	Diesel vs. SP95 Differential
October 2025	2.77	2.66	2.71	2.58	+0.05 AED
September 2025	2.70	2.58	2.66	2.51	+0.08 AED
August 2025	2.69	2.57	2.78	2.50	+0.21 AED
July 2025	2.70	2.58	2.63	2.51	+0.05 AED
June 2025	2.58	2.47	2.45	2.39	-0.02 AED
May 2025	2.58	2.47	2.52	2.39	+0.05 AED
April 2025	2.57	2.46	2.63	2.38	+0.17 AED
March 2025	2.73	2.61	2.77	2.51	+0.16 AED
February 2025	2.74	2.63	2.82	2.55	+0.19 AED
January 2025	2.61	2.50	2.68	2.43	+0.18 AED

Diesel vs Petrol Price Trend 2025 Summary

The analysis of fuel price trends throughout 2025 reveals a highly active market, defined by volatility that directly corresponded to movements in the international commodity exchanges.

The year began with relatively high rates in January, peaking in the late winter/early spring months of February and March, where Super 98 reached AED 2.74 and Diesel hit its 2025 peak at AED 2.82 per litre. This pattern generally reflects the expected influence of global crude oil price pathways.

A notable observation during this period is the consistent premium placed on diesel. For most of the year, particularly from January to May, the diesel price was substantially above Special 95 petrol.

This is a crucial market signal, demonstrating that the cost pressures associated with middle distillates (diesel, jet fuel, heating oil) were consistently higher than those affecting light distillates (petrol).

The most pronounced fluctuation occurred in mid-2205. In August 2025, diesel experienced a dramatic spike, increasing to AED 2.78, even as all grades of petrol saw a slight decrease. This temporary divergence created the largest differential of the year, with diesel costing AED 0.21 more per litre than Special 95.

The sharp subsequent drop in September (to AED 2.66) and the modest increase in October (to AED 2.71) indicate that the global market for middle distillates was susceptible to intense but short-lived supply disruptions or geopolitical tensions during the summer, highlighting the increased sensitivity of diesel pricing to macro events.

For commercial fleet managers, these pronounced swings in diesel pricing present a significant operational challenge. Budgetary assumptions based on the notion that diesel maintains a perpetual, stable price advantage over petrol would have been seriously undermined by the volatility observed in early 2025 and again in August.

This market reality forces logistics organizations to shift their focus from the simple cost per litre to a deeper analysis of the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), particularly maximizing vehicle mileage efficiency to counteract the price premium.

Why Diesel and Petrol Prices Differ in the UAE

The core mechanism dictating the price differential between diesel and petrol in the UAE is intrinsically linked to the international refining process and specific market demands for refined products. While both fuels originate from crude oil, the cost structure separates them based on production requirements, global market dynamics, and local regulatory mandates.

Production and Refining Costs

The process by which crude oil is converted into usable fuels is known as cracking, which separates the raw material into various distillates. Petrol is a light distillate, while diesel, jet fuel, and heating oil belong to the category of middle distillates. The price divergence originates partly from the complexity and cost associated with extracting and treating these different products.

The local retail price structure is determined by the international price benchmark for refined products (often sourced from S&P Global Platts, referencing liquid markets like Singapore or Northwest Europe), to which the Fuel Price Committee adds a regulated margin.

This margin is essential, as it compensates fuel retailers (such as ADNOC and ENOC) for local operational costs, including transportation, storage, and distribution expenses across the Emirates.

A critical factor unique to the UAE market that pressures diesel prices upward is the country’s stringent fuel quality standard. Since July 2014, the UAE has mandated the use of ‘green diesel’ in all commercial vehicles. This fuel adheres to Euro 5-equivalent standards, containing a maximum of 10 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur, a significant reduction from the earlier 500 ppm standard.

Achieving this ultra-low-sulfur content requires specialized refining processes, such as deep hydrotreating, which invariably increases the cost of production compared to refining lower-specification diesel commonly used in other markets. This necessary investment in high-quality, cleaner fuel intrinsically contributes to the observed price premium over petrol grades.

Global Oil Market Impact

Retail prices are directly pegged to global market prices for refined products, rather than simply the price of raw crude oil. While the cost of crude oil typically accounts for the largest share of the final pump price (around 50% for diesel), the differential between petrol and diesel is dictated by their respective crack spreads—the profit margin refiners earn on each barrel of crude processed into that specific product.

The volatility of diesel is often greater due to the shared components between diesel and heating oil globally. During the Northern Hemisphere’s winter, high seasonal demand for heating oil tightens the global supply of middle distillates.

This increased demand applies pressure to the international diesel crack spread, leading to price spikes that are immediately reflected at the UAE pumps, even if local demand or general crude prices remain stable.

Conversely, petrol demand tends to peak during the summer driving season, though this seasonal effect is often less abrupt than the demand shock caused by heating oil in cold regions.

Furthermore, geopolitical tensions or supply chain disruptions impact refined product availability with unequal force. For example, periods of heightened geopolitical uncertainty in 2025 were shown to affect crude oil prices and refinery margins.

If a major regional refinery experiences an outage, it may disproportionately affect the supply of one specific distillate, leading to sudden, sharp price increases that are factored into the UAE’s monthly rate announcement.

Local Taxation and Regulation

The cost composition of fuel in the UAE includes regulatory factors, most notably taxation. Both petrol and diesel are subject to the standard Value Added Tax (VAT) of 5%. This consumption tax is a fixed percentage applied uniformly at the point of sale, meaning consumers bear the full cost.

Beyond the direct consumer tax, the operational framework for major fuel retailers and multinational logistics corporations operating in the UAE is also changing, which indirectly affects the regulated margin component of fuel pricing.

The UAE introduced a Federal Corporate Tax (CT) of 9% on business profits exceeding AED 375,000, which has been in effect for financial years commencing on or after June 1, 2023. Furthermore, in 2025, the UAE introduced the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT) of 15% for large multinational enterprises (MNEs), aligning the country with the OECD’s Pillar Two global tax framework.

While these corporate taxes are not direct pump duties, they increase the global compliance costs and operational burdens for the international oil and gas giants that dominate the supply chain.

This enhanced fiscal environment places continuous pressure on the government’s Fuel Price Committee as it determines the regulated margin added to the international fuel benchmark, necessitating a balance between maintaining retail affordability and ensuring retailers are adequately compensated for transportation and compliance expenses.

Which is Better for You — Diesel or Petrol?

The determination of whether diesel or petrol is the optimal choice must move beyond the per-litre price and focus on the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), factoring in usage patterns, fuel efficiency, and maintenance expenditure. The analysis reveals clear advantages for each fuel type depending on the user profile—private commuter versus commercial fleet operator.   

Cost Efficiency and Mileage

The single most compelling argument in favor of diesel is its superior fuel efficiency. Due to the high compression ratio inherent in diesel engine design and the higher energy density found within diesel fuel, these engines consistently achieve 20% to 35% better mileage compared to petrol engines of a comparable size.   

This efficiency creates a substantial financial benefit, especially for vehicles covering high annual distances, such as commercial fleets. Even when the price per litre of diesel exceeds that of petrol, the lower consumption rate means the cost per kilometer is significantly reduced.   

This reality is best demonstrated through a typical fleet scenario operating in the UAE, where vehicles cover high mileage:

Annual Fuel Cost Comparison: High-Mileage Vehicle (Illustrative Scenario)

Metric	Petrol Vehicle (SUV)	Diesel Vehicle (SUV)	Annual Savings (Diesel)
Assumed Annual Mileage	30,000 km	30,000 km	N/A
Average Economy (km/L)	8.5 km/L	12 km/L	N/A
Illustrative Price (AED/L)	2.90	3.00	N/A
Annual Litres Consumed	3,529 L	2,500 L	1,029 L
Total Annual Fuel Cost	AED 10,234	AED 7,500	AED 2,734

The calculation clearly indicates that for high-mileage users (logistics, heavy goods transport, inter-city commercial travel), the superior efficiency of diesel vehicles results in thousands of Dirhams in annual savings, justifying the higher per-litre cost and often a higher initial vehicle acquisition price.

For the private motorist who drives short distances and operates predominantly in urban areas, these savings rarely offset the higher upfront purchase price and potential long-term maintenance costs of a diesel vehicle.

Environmental Impact

The environmental comparison between diesel and petrol involves a trade-off between greenhouse gases (CO2) and local air quality pollutants (Nitrogen Oxides – NOx, and Particulate Matter – PM).

Diesel engines are highly efficient and burn fuel more completely, typically resulting in lower CO2 emissions per kilometer than petrol engines, which is beneficial for reducing overall greenhouse gas contribution.

However, historically, diesel engines were associated with higher emissions of NOx and fine PM, which are detrimental to local urban air quality. Petrol engines, conversely, generally produce higher CO2 but lower levels of NOx and PM.

The UAE’s implementation of Euro 5-equivalent ‘green diesel’ (10 ppm sulfur) has significantly mitigated the environmental disadvantage of diesel. This ultra-low-sulfur fuel dramatically reduces PM emissions, bringing modern UAE-compliant diesel vehicles closer to petrol standards in terms of local air quality impact, particularly when newer engine emission standards (like Euro 4) are applied across the fleet.

Engine Performance and Maintenance

The choice of fuel dictates the vehicle’s driving profile. Diesel engines are characterized by producing high low-end torque (rotational force), making them exceptionally capable for heavy-duty applications such as towing, hauling cargo, and maintaining speed effortlessly on long highway stretches, which is common in the UAE.

Furthermore, diesel engines are generally built to be more robust, designed to handle high compression stresses, leading to greater durability and a longer lifespan, often exceeding 300,000 miles with proper care.

Petrol engines, in contrast, offer quick acceleration and a more refined, smoother, and quieter driving experience. They rev higher, delivering peak power later, making them ideal for rapid response in city traffic and generally offering a sportier feel.

The maintenance profile differs substantially. Petrol cars benefit from a lower initial purchase price and generally simpler engine architecture, resulting in more straightforward and cheaper routine maintenance for the average owner.

Diesel vehicles, while durable, feature complex components required for modern efficiency and emissions control (e.g., advanced injection systems and particulate filters).

This complexity translates into higher initial purchase costs and significantly increased repair costs when specialized professional maintenance is required, offsetting some of the long-term fuel savings if maintenance is neglected.

For fleet managers, the decision to use diesel vehicles must therefore be coupled with a robust preventive maintenance schedule to ensure the higher capital and potential repair costs do not negate the TCO advantage derived from fuel efficiency.

Latest UAE Fuel Prices (October 2025 Update)

The official announcement from the UAE Fuel Price Committee confirmed that October 2025 rates reflect a slight overall increase across all fuel categories compared to the preceding month of September. These adjustments adhere to the policy of aligning domestic rates with the global oil market movements observed during the late summer period.

October 2025 Official Fuel Prices (AED/Litre)

Fuel Grade	Price (AED/L)	Change from Sep 2025	Primary Application
Super 98	2.77	+0.07 AED	High-performance and luxury vehicles
Special 95	2.66	+0.08 AED	Standard saloon cars and medium engines
E-Plus 91	2.58	+0.07 AED	Low-compression engines; fleet operators
Diesel	2.71	+0.05 AED	Heavy vehicles, logistics, and commercial fleets

All fuel grades saw an increase ranging from +0.05 AED to +0.08 AED per litre. Diesel settled at AED 2.71, continuing to be priced higher than the most affordable petrol grade (E-Plus 91) and slightly higher than the standard Special 95 grade.

Given the ongoing nature of monthly price changes, consumers and businesses are advised to adopt proactive strategies to mitigate these costs. This includes rigorous adherence to vehicle maintenance schedules (often recommended every 10,000 to 15,000 km) to maximize engine efficiency and lower fuel consumption.

Additionally, maintaining proper tire pressure, adopting carpooling initiatives, and using fuel-saving additives are practical ways for commuters to manage their expenses in response to monthly adjustments.

Key Takeaways from Diesel vs Petrol Comparison

The comprehensive analysis of UAE fuel pricing and market dynamics through October 2025 yields several definitive conclusions regarding the comparative advantages of diesel versus petrol.

The defining characteristic of the 2025 market has been the sustained premium on diesel per litre, where its price has frequently surpassed that of Special 95 and occasionally Super 98.

This persistent premium demonstrates that global refining pressures, driven by high demand for middle distillates and the high cost of meeting the UAE’s mandatory Euro 5 green diesel standard, override simple volume comparisons.

For commercial fleet owners, the calculation remains clear: diesel provides unparalleled cost-effectiveness. Despite the higher per-litre price, the fuel’s superior energy density and the resulting 20% to 35% improvement in mileage mean that diesel vehicles offer substantially lower operating costs per kilometer.

Fleet acquisition strategies, therefore, must focus on robust preventive maintenance to preserve the engine’s long-term integrity and avoid costly repairs that could erode the fuel efficiency advantage.

For the private motorist, petrol remains the preferred choice. The lower initial vehicle cost, simpler and more affordable maintenance, and the vast availability of petrol models in the UAE market typically outweigh the modest fuel savings achievable by a low-mileage commuter in a diesel vehicle.

The price volatility observed in diesel throughout 2025 has significant macroeconomic implications. As diesel powers the backbone of the UAE’s logistics and heavy transport sectors, sudden price spikes, such as the one seen in August 2025, directly influence operational costs.

When logistics firms face uncertainty in fuel pricing, this instability creates ripple effects across the economy, potentially contributing to higher costs for consumer goods and services.

Ultimately, the UAE’s deregulated pricing model, managed by the Fuel Price Committee, effectively links the local economy to global energy realities.

This mechanism serves as a continuous signal, not only encouraging efficiency but also reinforcing the national drive toward energy diversification. The long-term goal of the government is to incentivize alternative fuels.

Consequently, the growing price parity between diesel and petrol, coupled with the environmental trade-offs of traditional fossil fuels, further emphasizes the strategic importance of expanding infrastructure for alternatives like CNG and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging across the country.

Stay Updated on UAE Fuel Prices

Navigating the fluid landscape of global energy markets requires accurate and timely information. Ensuring that financial planning, both personal and commercial, is optimized requires tracking the monthly adjustments set by the UAE Fuel Price Committee.

➣ Bookmark uaepetrolprices.com to check updated Diesel & Petrol prices every month!