Rising fuel prices following the start of the conflict in the Middle East have accelerated interest and use of carpooling, with a top ride-sharing platform reporting a surge in new users seeking cheaper ways to travel.
The world's largest carpooling platform, BlaBlaCar, said soaring energy costs have pushed 600,000 additional drivers onto the app this year – 20% more than initially projected – as commuters look to offset the rising cost of fuel.
In India, its single biggest market with more than 20 million users in 2025, the number of passengers has increased by 40% since the start of the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes against Iran on Feb. 28.
Last year, the global carpooling leader posted record-breaking figures in the world's most populous country, India – outpacing Brazil with 19 million users and France with seven million, according to Benjamin Retourne, the platform's product director.
This trend has been more pronounced in countries where fuel price increases driven by the war have been sudden and significant, combined with limited government support, such as in France.
