JUST IN: UAE Fuel Prices for May 2026 have been announced
Brent averaged $99 in April. Here is what analysts say comes next — and how to budget either way.
UAE petrol prices are due for their monthly revision on 30 April 2026, with new rates effective from 1 May.
April’s prices jumped by roughly AED 0.80 per litre, a 33% increase over March, after the Strait of Hormuz closure sent oil surging. Now, with April’s average Brent crude sitting at approximately $99 per barrel, analysts and energy journalists are signalling that significant relief is unlikely.
This article covers:
- What the UAE Fuel Price Committee is and how it sets prices
- The April 2026 prices
- What April’s oil market data signals for May — and who is saying it
- A budget breakdown at different tank sizes
- Whether switching vehicles now makes financial sense
UAE Fuel Prices May 2026: What the Oil Market Data Signals for May
These are not confirmed prices. This is what the underlying data suggests — and what energy analysts are saying.
The Fuel Price Committee sets May prices based on April’s average Brent crude price. That average is now calculable with near-completeness.
According to Khaleej Times, the average closing Brent crude price in April was $99.16 a barrel, compared with $96.96 in March — suggesting fuel prices for May could be adjusted slightly higher.
The final decision rests with the committee, which will announce revised rates on 30 April.
| Oil data point | Value |
|---|---|
| Average April Brent close | ~$99.16/barrel |
| Average March Brent close | ~$96.96/barrel |
| Brent as of 28 April | ~$107.60/barrel |
| Pre-conflict level (Jan 2026) | ~$70/barrel |
| Conflict peak | ~$119/barrel |
UAE motorists are unlikely to see a sharp drop in fuel prices in May, even as global oil markets attempt to stabilise after recent spikes — with Brent for June delivery sitting at $107.60 per barrel.
The key mechanism: The committee uses the full-month April average — not the end-of-month spike — when setting May prices. April averaged ~$99, which is marginally above March’s ~$97. That arithmetic points toward a small increase or flat outcome. It does not point toward a meaningful price cut.
What Analysts Are Forecasting for May
These are forecasts, not confirmed rates. Treat them as informed signals only.
- Gulf News analysis published 27 April: States the overall trend for May is “no repeat of April surge, but limited relief,” adding that current market strength is “unlikely to reverse May prices higher at this stage” — pointing to May acting as a holding phase.
- Khaleej Times reported on 25 April: Petrol prices are set to be revised next week, noting that with April’s average Brent above $99, “fuel prices could be adjusted slightly higher” — though the piece stops short of a firm prediction and defers to the committee’s 30 April announcement.
| Source | Forecast direction | Confidence framing |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf News (27 Apr) | Flat to marginal increase | “No repeat of April surge, limited relief” |
| Khaleej Times (25 Apr) | Marginal increase possible | “Could be adjusted slightly higher” |
| Both sources | No meaningful price cut | Consistent signal |
What April 2026 Prices Were
The Fuel Price Committee raised petrol prices in the UAE by around AED 0.80 per litre, or nearly one-third, for April after oil surged in March following the outbreak of the Middle East war on 28 February.
| Fuel type | March 2026 | April 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super 98 | AED 2.59/L | AED 3.39/L | +AED 0.80 |
| Special 95 | AED 2.48/L | AED 3.28/L | +AED 0.80 |
| E-Plus 91 | AED 2.40/L | AED 3.20/L | +AED 0.80 |
| Diesel | ~AED 3.50/L | AED 4.69/L | +AED 1.19 |
The April surge was driven by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz — roughly 21 miles at its narrowest point — which handles around 20% of the world’s daily oil supply. When it closed in late February, global crude prices reacted within days.
What Is the UAE Fuel Price Committee?
Every driver in the UAE pays a price set by a single monthly decision.
The Fuel Price Committee is a body under the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure that reviews global oil benchmarks — primarily the S&P Global Platts index — at the end of each month and sets retail fuel prices for the following month.
The UAE removed fuel subsidies in 2015, meaning prices now track global markets directly. Prices are identical across all emirates and all stations (ADNOC, ENOC, EPPCO). The next announcement is due 30 April 2026, with prices effective from 1 May.
Budgeting Both Scenarios – If May Prices Stay Flat, or Increase
The honest approach: plan for flat-to-slightly-higher, and know your April baseline.
Most Dubai residents drive SUVs or mid-size sedans with 50–80 litre tanks.
The table below shows your confirmed April monthly cost and what a flat or marginal increase means in May.
All figures use Special 95 pricing. And assumes four fills per month.
| Vehicle tank size | April bill ✅ | If May flat | If May +AED 0.10/L | If May -AED 0.20/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50L (small sedan) | AED 656 | AED 656 | AED 676 | AED 616 |
| 65L (mid sedan/SUV) | AED 853 | AED 853 | AED 879 | AED 801 |
| 80L (large SUV) | AED 1,050 | AED 1,050 | AED 1,082 | AED 986 |
| 100L (large 4×4) | AED 1,312 | AED 1,312 | AED 1,352 | AED 1,232 |
April already put most Dubai households AED 200–320 per month above their January baseline.
May is unlikely to reverse that.
Does Switching to a More Efficient Vehicle Make Sense Now?
The UAE recorded its highest-ever petrol prices in 2022 after the Russia-Ukraine war, when Super 98 hit AED 4.63 per litre in July 2022.
Current April prices at AED 3.28–3.39 are elevated by recent standards but still below that 2022 record. Whether the sustained higher baseline justifies a vehicle switch depends on your numbers.
| Option | Est. monthly saving vs large SUV | Upfront premium | Rough break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downsize to small sedan | ~AED 200 | Varies by trade | 12–24 months |
| Switch to hybrid | ~AED 300–400 | AED 15,000–30,000 | 3–5 years |
| Switch to full EV (DEWA home charging at AED 0.44/kWh) | ~AED 700–800 | AED 20,000–40,000 | 2–4 years |
| Keep car, reduce unnecessary trips | Variable | AED 0 | Immediate |
These break-even figures assume prices remain broadly at or above current levels. If prices returned to January’s ~AED 2.48 for Special 95, the EV case weakens significantly. If prices hold or rise further, the case strengthens fast.
When and How to Find the Official May Price
The 30 April announcement is the only number that matters. Here is where to find it the moment it drops.
| Platform | What to check |
|---|---|
| UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure | moenr.gov.ae — official source |
| Gulf News | gulfnews.com — typically first to publish |
| Khaleej Times | khaleejtimes.com — real-time energy desk |
| X (Twitter) | @GulfNews, @KhaleejTimes — fastest distribution |
| Announcement date | 30 April 2026 |
| Effective date | 1 May 2026 |
Bookmark this. The announcement typically goes live between 8pm and midnight on the last day of the month. Set a reminder, check the official source, and update your budget accordingly.
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