As the next fuel price adjustment window opens at 24:00 on August 28, retail gasoline and diesel prices in China are expected to rise by approximately 0.4 yuan per liter. By the close of trading on August 24, light crude oil futures for October delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange had fallen by $2.05 to settle at $85.01 per barrel, marking a decline of 2.35%. Meanwhile, Brent crude oil futures for October delivery on the London exchange dropped by $2.22 to close at $92.17 per barrel, also reflecting a 2.35% decrease.

Market analysts have calculated that, based on the "ten working days" pricing mechanism, the average price of reference crude oil varieties stood at $88.87 per barrel by the seventh working day (August 25), representing a 7.54% increase from the previous adjustment cycle. With the adjustment window set to open at 24:00 on August 28, the forecast points to a rise of about 0.4 yuan per liter for domestic retail gasoline and diesel. For a typical private car with a 50-liter fuel tank, this means filling up will cost roughly 20 yuan more, prompting suggestions that drivers with upcoming refueling needs should plan their schedules accordingly.

This year, domestic fuel prices have shown a pattern of more increases than decreases. Among the 16 pricing adjustments already implemented, the market has witnessed 10 increases, 5 decreases, and 1 instance of suspension, resulting in significant cumulative gains for both gasoline and diesel. Currently, the national average retail prices are: 92-octane gasoline at 7.77 yuan per liter, 95-octane gasoline at 8.29 yuan per liter, and 0-diesel at 7.42 yuan per liter. Following the upcoming adjustment, 92-octane gasoline in many regions is set to re-enter the 8-yuan range.