Fuel Cost Rise in UAE: December Impact

Fuel Prices Increase in UAE: December's Full Tank Costs

In the United Arab Emirates, fuel prices have once again changed for December 2025, directly affecting many residents and businesses, particularly those who use their vehicles daily for commuting, cargo transport, or tourism purposes. The approved prices for the month of December have increased in line with international oil market trends, as officially announced by the UAE Ministry of Energy and the Fuel Prices Monitoring Committee. The new prices effective from December 1st represent a minor but noticeable additional cost for vehicle drivers.

Fuel Price Changes for December

The prices of the three main types of gasoline have changed as follows:

Super 98: 2.70 dirhams/liter, Special 95: 2.58 dirhams/liter, E-Plus 91: 2.51 dirhams/liter

This represents an increase compared to November when Super 98 was priced at 2.63 dirhams per liter, Special 95 was 2.51 dirhams, and E-Plus 91 was 2.44 dirhams. The increase ranges from 0.07–0.09 dirhams per liter, which may seem small at first glance but becomes noticeable with a full tank.

How Much Does It Cost by Vehicle Type?

To understand the impact of the price increase, it is worth examining how much it costs to fill an average vehicle's tank in December and the difference compared to November's costs.

Compact Cars (average tank: 51 liters)

Super 98: 137.70 dirhams (November: 134.13 dirhams)

Special 95: 131.58 dirhams (November: 128.01 dirhams)

E-Plus 91: 128.01 dirhams (November: 124.44 dirhams)

The difference: 3.57–4.26 dirhams, depending on the type.

Sedans (average tank: 62 liters)

Super 98: 167.40 dirhams (November: 163.06 dirhams)

Special 95: 159.96 dirhams (November: 155.62 dirhams)

E-Plus 91: 155.62 dirhams (November: 151.28 dirhams)

The difference: 4.34–5.12 dirhams, depending on the type.

SUVs (average tank: 74 liters)

Super 98: 199.80 dirhams (November: 194.62 dirhams)

Special 95: 190.92 dirhams (November: 185.74 dirhams)

E-Plus 91: 185.74 dirhams (November: 180.56 dirhams)

The difference: 5.00–5.18 dirhams, depending on the type.

What Causes the Price Increase?

Fuel prices in the UAE are determined monthly based on global oil prices, taking into account the operating costs of refineries and distributors. As the price of crude oil has risen globally in recent weeks, this impact is being felt by residents of the Emirates. Factors contributing to the price increase include geopolitical tensions, OPEC+ production decisions, the exchange rate of the dollar, and seasonal demand increases – for example, energy demand often rises in the winter months.

How to Adapt to the New Prices?

Those who use their vehicles daily should consider some cost-saving strategies:

Planning: Combine errands to reduce the number of trips needed.

Carpooling: Share rides with others, especially for commuting to work.

Public Transport: Dubai's metro network and buses offer excellent alternatives.

Choosing vehicles with smaller engines: Significant savings in the long term.

Timing refueling: Watch for promotions or discounts at some gas stations.

Particularly Affected Sectors

Transportation, freight, and logistics companies are particularly affected by changes in fuel prices. An SUV or truck can consume hundreds of liters of gasoline per month, so a few dirhams increase can raise operating costs by several thousand dirhams on a monthly scale. Ultimately, this may manifest in price increases, for example, in food or courier services.

Future Outlook

While fuel prices change from month to month, analysts do not expect drastic price reductions in the near future. The global political and economic situation, climate protection goals, and global demand will continue to significantly impact price trends. Therefore, in the long term, the UAE is placing increasing emphasis on spreading alternative energies, such as electric vehicles and green fuels.

Closing Thoughts

The December increase in fuel prices is not surprising but still requires attention from every vehicle owner and business. Optimizing costs, planning trips consciously, and considering transportation alternatives can help prevent a significant strain on finances due to this change. The current prices reflect the ongoing movement of the global energy market, reminding us of the importance of energy-conscious thinking in the UAE's rapidly developing urban environment, particularly Dubai's dynamic transportation system.

(Source of the article is the Fuel Prices Monitoring Committee's pricing.)