Petrol Prices Rise, Car Sharing Gains Momentum

Petrol prices have risen by 40p per litre from their yearly low, according to the latest figures. This increase comes as Liftshare Week, an annual campaign from Liftshare, the UK's largest car sharing platform, encourages commuters to share the cost of their journeys.

A driver commuting 20 miles to work could save around £4 in each direction by sharing the journey with another individual, equivalent to £8 a day or approximately £1,800 annually. Petrol prices now average 172p per litre, which is around 40p more than at their lowest point in the previous year. Diesel prices are close to £1.96 per litre.

Liftshare Week runs from 5 to 9 October 2026. It is an annual campaign aimed at helping people find someone making the same journey, and it is free to sign up at Liftshare (bit.ly/4iS9nB0).

The temporary 5p fuel duty cut that ended on 31 August means that further increases are already scheduled. These increases are expected to continue until March 2027. Around 18,600 people have joined Liftshare between January and September 2026, representing a 22% increase compared to the same period last year. For many of these new members, the financial benefits of sharing the drive have already started to make more sense than driving alone.

Matthew Appleton, a driver who has always driven to work, was matched with Lily Dunkin, a colleague, through the platform. Their home addresses are on the same route, and their work schedules align. "I would definitely recommend it."

Lyn Seymour, another Liftshare member, found her match through the platform and discovered that her new commuting companion lived only five houses away from her.

One member who switched from train to car share, a route from mid-Devon to Bristol, cut her commuting costs from £40 for a return train journey down to £10. "I've saved so much money," she said.

Vinesh Jacques, who shares his commute with colleague Amélie Sharp, is similarly straightforward about the impact: "Saved a fortune. Definitely worth it."

The financial case for car sharing is equally clear. For example, one member who switched from train to car share, a route from mid-Devon to Bristol, cut her commuting costs from £40 for a return train journey down to £10. "I would definitely recommend it."

Mobilityways Limited, the company behind Liftshare, is registered at 10-12 St Andrews Street, Norwich, NR2 4AF, with company number 03968472. The company has saved 1 billion miles of commuting, analysed 2 million individual commutes, and identified 1 million tonnes of CO2e savings. It holds B Corp certification, Social Enterprise UK membership, ISO 27001 accreditation, and the King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2024. Find out more at mobilityways.com.

The company's mission is to make zero carbon commuting a reality for organisations and the people who work for them. Mobilityways' suite of employer climate technology includes Liftshare For Work, the UK and Ireland's largest car sharing platform, and CommuteBoost, a tool that enables employees to log sustainable journeys and earn rewards. Personal Travel Plans guide individuals through their commuting options. The Employer Dashboards provide organisations with strategic intelligence, including CommuteIQ, which models the realistic sustainable travel potential of any workforce, and integrated travel surveys and emissions calculation tools. Commutology Consultancy, Mobilityways' team of commuting specialists, works directly with organisations to translate data into action, building engagement strategies and working with stakeholders to create real-world modal shift.

Mobilityways works with employers across the public and private sector, including NHS trusts, aerospace and defence contractors, airports, financial services firms, universities, logistics parks, and local authorities. Clients include Lloyds Banking Group, Bentley, BP, Heathrow, the BBC, Ocado, American Express, and Nationwide, as well as NHS organisations including the Northern Care Alliance and NHS Tayside.