UAE fuel prices hit four-year high, driving interest in EVs

Fuel prices in the United Arab Emirates reached a four-year high in October 2026, with Super 98 petrol climbing to AED 4.40 per litre. This represents a nearly 16.6% increase in a single month, driven by regional oil market volatility and Brent crude prices approaching $110 a barrel. Diesel prices also rose to AED 4.80 per litre.

As petrol costs increase, motorists are increasingly looking toward hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) to manage running costs. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) offer a way to reduce consumption through regenerative braking without external charging, while plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) provide larger electric-only ranges.

Electric vehicles have become more accessible across various price brackets, largely due to the influence of Chinese automakers. Notably, BYD overtook Tesla as the best-selling EV brand in the UAE by the first quarter of 2026. Data indicates that home charging remains significantly cheaper than petrol, costing approximately AED 0.05 to 0.12 per kilometre, compared to AED 0.28 to 0.30 for petrol vehicles.