Business

Fuelling Change: How surging petrol prices are supercharging UAE’s EV boom

Published

1 year ago

February 20, 2025

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The global automotive landscape is tilting in favour of electrified vehicles, as fluctuating fuel prices push buyers away from traditional petrol-powered cars. The trend has also been evident in the UAE, with hybrids and EVs (electric vehicles) becoming more prominent on the streets.

On February 1, 2025, the UAE Fuel Price Committee hiked the petrol rates after two months of unchanged prices. Super 98 petrol was priced at Dh2.74 per litre, up from Dh2.61 in January, while Special 95 increased to Dh2.63 per litre from Dh2.50 the previous month.

While the price hike appears modest, their cumulative effect is pressuring household budgets, already strained by inflation. As a result, the cost-conscious buyer is turning to electric and hybrid alternatives, drawn by their lower operating expenses.

Automakers and dealerships have responded to the shift in sentiment by rolling out competitive discounts and trade-in incentives to accelerate EV adoption.

Tesla, a dominant player in the segment, has capitalised on this momentum in the UAE. For instance, the company’s Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive is available for Dh167,990, positioning it competitively against traditional luxury sedans, making it the preferred choice for luxury cab operators in town.

By comparison, a similarly equipped BMW 3 Series carries a higher price tag starting at Dh245,000. This makes the Model 3 a compelling alternative for buyers considering the switch.

Beyond fuel savings, EV owners highlight significantly reduced maintenance costs, as electric motors contain fewer moving parts than their internal combustion counterparts. The UAE’s expanding charging infrastructure is further addressing a range of concerns while bolstering consumer confidence in electrified mobility.

While the upfront cost of an EV or hybrid remains a hurdle for some, long-term financial and environmental advantages are driving increased adoption.

As fuel prices continue to fluctuate, the momentum toward electrified vehicles in the UAE is expected to persist, reshaping the region’s automotive market for years to come.

Business

No cash? No card? No problem: Now shop at Dubai Duty Free with crypto

Published

2 hours ago

August 5, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai Duty Free has become the first airport retailer in the Middle East to introduce Crypto.com Pay, allowing eligible UAE residents to pay for purchases using their Crypto.com accounts.

The new payment option is now available at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC/AMIA) and online at Dubai Duty Free’s website.

The rollout follows a strategic partnership signed between Dubai Duty Free and Crypto.com in July 2025 and supports Dubai’s wider push towards a cashless economy under the D33 Economic Agenda.

How it works

For in-store purchases, shoppers simply select Crypto.com Pay at checkout, scan the QR code displayed at the counter using the Crypto.com app and approve the payment. The transaction is processed instantly, with Dubai Duty Free receiving settlement in UAE dirhams.

Online shoppers can also choose Crypto.com Pay during checkout, scan the QR code generated on the payment page and confirm the transaction through the Crypto.com app. Mobile users are redirected directly to the app before returning to complete their purchase.

Available for eligible UAE residents

The service is currently available to eligible UAE residents with a Crypto.com account. Payments are processed through Crypto.com’s regulated payment platform, with transactions settled in dirhams.

Dubai Duty Free said the launch expands its range of digital payment options, which already includes Apple Pay, Alipay and TerraPay, while offering customers another convenient way to pay.

The move also strengthens Dubai’s ambition to become a global leader in digital commerce, with the emirate targeting 90 per cent of financial transactions to be cashless by the end of 2026.

Announcements

August fuel rates announced: UAE petrol prices go up

Published

5 days ago

July 31, 2026

Michael Gomes

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UAE motorists will pay more at the pump from Saturday after the UAE Fuel Price Committee announced higher petrol and diesel prices for August 2026.

The revised rates, which take effect from August 1, are:

Super 98: Dh3.60 per litre (up from Dh3.40)
Special 95: Dh3.49 per litre (up from Dh3.29)
E-Plus 91: Dh3.41 per litre (up from Dh3.21)
Diesel: Dh3.80 per litre (up from Dh3.60)

The increase reverses July’s price reduction and comes after volatility in global oil markets during the past month.

The UAE Fuel Price Committee reviews retail fuel prices at the end of each month, with rates determined in line with movements in international oil markets.

The new prices will remain in effect throughout August 2026.

Announcements

UAE’s Jaywan card can now be used for online shopping on thousands of websites

Published

2 weeks ago

July 21, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Online shopping with the UAE’s Jaywan card just got a major upgrade.

Network International has announced that Jaywan cardholders can now use their cards to pay on thousands of online stores connected to its payment gateway, expanding the domestic payment scheme beyond in-store purchases.

The move is expected to make online payments faster and more convenient while supporting the UAE’s push towards a cashless economy.

What is Jaywan?

Launched by Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE, Jaywan is the country’s domestic payment card scheme.

It was introduced to provide a secure local payment option, reduce transaction costs and strengthen the UAE’s digital payments ecosystem.

Until now, Jaywan cards were mainly accepted for in-store purchases. With the latest expansion, cardholders can also use them for online shopping across thousands of merchants powered by Network International.

What this means for shoppers

For UAE residents, the update means more flexibility when shopping online.

Whether you’re ordering groceries, booking services or buying products online, you’ll be able to use your Jaywan card anywhere that supports Network International’s payment gateway.

The company says the integration offers secure, fast and seamless online payments, while merchants won’t face additional charges for Jaywan transactions processed through its platform.

A step towards a cashless UAE

The expansion is part of the UAE’s broader strategy to accelerate digital payments and reduce reliance on cash.

By making Jaywan available both in stores and online, payment providers are helping create a more connected digital payment ecosystem for businesses and consumers alike.

As more banks, merchants and payment providers adopt the scheme, residents can expect to see Jaywan accepted across even more everyday payment services in the future.