With fuel duty set to rise, Liftshare is urging commuters to find someone going their way during Liftshare Week, 5 to 9 October, and potentially save hundreds of pounds a year.

A driver travelling 20 miles to work could save around £4 in each direction by sharing the journey, equivalent to £8 a day or approximately £1,800 a year. Petrol now averages 172p a litre, around 40p more than at its lowest point in the past year, while diesel is close to £1.96 a litre.

Liftshare Week runs from 5 to 9 October 2026. It is an annual campaign from Liftshare, the UK's largest car sharing platform, to help people find someone making the same journey. Signing up is free at https://liftshare.com/uk.

Further increases are already scheduled. The temporary 5p fuel duty cut ended on 31 August, and duty will rise in stages between now and March 2027.

Around 18,600 people joined Liftshare between January and September 2026, a 22% increase on the same period last year. For many of them, the maths of sharing the drive has already started to make more sense than driving alone.

“I would definitely recommend it”

Matthew Appleton has always driven to work. He assumed his colleagues did the same, each in their own car, on the same roads, at the same time.

After joining Liftshare, he was matched with Lily Dunkin, a colleague. Her home turned out to be on his route, and their hours lined up.

"Car sharing has raised my awareness of the importance of sharing on the environment and cost savings. I would definitely recommend it."
— Matthew Appleton, Liftshare member

What members say

Matthew is not alone. Lyn Seymour, another Liftshare member, found her match through the platform and discovered the person she was now sharing her commute with lived five houses away from her.

"Through the car share I have made a new friend. The person I travel with actually lives only about five houses away from me, and I would probably never have got to know them if it had not been for the car share. Whatever happens in the future, I am confident that our friendship will continue."
— Lyn Seymour, Liftshare member

The financial case is equally clear. 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. It would normally cost £40 for a return train. Now I only pay £10." — Liftshare member
Vinesh Jacques, who shares his commute with colleague Amélie Sharp, is similarly straightforward about the impact: "Saved a fortune. Definitely worth it."

For Abdul Shakoor, the appeal is as much about the people as the petrol. "Talking to the people is most good outcome and sharing the day stories is the best thing," he says. He gives Liftshare ten out of ten.

The numbers

At 172p a litre, a 60-mile round trip costs a typical petrol car between £9 and £10.50 a day in fuel. Split between two people, that is a saving of around £1,000 a year. A shorter 20-mile commute each way still saves around £700 a year. Parking costs are shared too.

Around 18,600 people joined Liftshare between January and September 2026, a 22% increase on the same period last year.
Take part in the Liftshare Week competition

Anyone who adds a Liftshare journey during Liftshare Week will be entered into a competition, with every journey added counting as one entry. Three winners will each receive a £100 Amazon voucher. Find out more about the competition and how to take part by clicking https://bit.ly/4rG8u0x.