Global energy body backs carpooling as UK fuel prices rise

Mobilityways says businesses can act now, no government mandate needed

Carpooling specialist Mobilityways has welcomed the International Energy Agency's call for governments and businesses to encourage car sharing, and is urging UK employers to act immediately as energy prices continue to rise.

The IEA, which counts the UK among its 32 member nations, this week outlined ten measures to reduce energy consumption worldwide in response to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf. 

Car sharing and efficient driving featured prominently. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol told the BBC the world faces "the greatest global energy security threat in history".

Mobilityways says the numbers make the case plainly. UK cars currently average just 1.55 passengers per journey. Raising that to 1.8 would reduce fuel consumption by approximately 14%, saving around 4 billion litres annually. 

That is not a distant ambition: France already achieves 1.7 to 1.8 average occupancy through systematic carpooling support, and during the 1970s oil crisis, UK car traffic fell around 5% through largely informal arrangements with no digital tools at all.

Today, the UK has Liftshare.com: founded in 1998 as the world's first digital carpooling platform, with over 700,000 registered members. The infrastructure is already here.

Ali Clabburn, Chairman of Mobilityways and founder of Liftshare told That's Business: "We now have 700,000 people already on Liftshare.com and a platform that can scale within weeks. The IEA is telling the world to carpool. The UK can lead on this because we already have everything we need."

Julie Furnell, Managing Director of Mobilityways, told us: "Every empty seat on the commute is wasted fuel. 

"Large employers need to consider how they can support their teams with the rising fuel costs. With a carpool community your employees save money, you reduce your Scope 3 emissions, and you are doing something real in response to a genuine energy challenge. We are ready to help any organisation get started."

Mobilityways works with large employers across the UK, including Heathrow Airport, Lloyds Banking Group and over 30 NHS Trusts, to measure, reduce and report commuter emissions through its enterprise platform, Liftshare For Work.

Members of the public can join for free at www.liftshare.com.