Since the start of the war in Iran, fuel prices have been increasing steadily, causing frustration among drivers in France and across Europe. Initially, many hoped for a swift resolution to the conflict, but as the situation has remained unresolved, more people are seeking alternatives to traditional car use. Carpooling has emerged as a popular solution, and BlaBlaCar, a major carpooling platform in France, has seen a significant rise in activity. Since the beginning of the hostilities in the Middle East, the company has added 226,000 new drivers to its platform, with the number continuing to grow. On Tuesday, September 22, BlaBlaCar recorded 2,200 new drivers joining in a single day—three times the usual rate and the highest level since April of last year. This increase in drivers has led to more available seats for passengers. On the same day, nearly 150,000 seats were offered, setting a new record since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Globally, BlaBlaCar saw over 5 million seats offered last week, a first in the company's history. Adrien Tahon, Chief Operating Officer of BlaBlaCar, notes that the growing interest in carpooling has been driven by a growing awareness of the long-term impact of high fuel prices. "After the summer holidays, there was an awareness. Many people thought this situation would not last so long, but they realized it at the start of the school year. This woke people up and gave them the desire to start carpooling," he explains. In addition to new drivers, Tahon observes that existing carpoolers are increasing their frequency to save more money, while some car owners are even considering becoming passengers to avoid high fuel costs. The increased interest in carpooling is also reflected in changing mobility patterns. The average trip distance on BlaBlaCar has decreased by 10%, indicating a focus on shorter, more cost-effective journeys. Drivers are also posting their trips earlier, with 30% of trips being listed more than a week in advance this summer—up from 20% at the same time last year. To support these trends, BlaBlaCar has introduced new features, such as a tool to find the cheapest gas stations along a route, the ability to request specific pick-up or drop-off points with a tip, and AI-generated summaries of driver reviews. "We are trying to support our community. What we observe is that when people start carpooling, they don't stop, even if prices decrease," Tahon concludes. With the war in Iran still ongoing, fuel prices are expected to remain high for several months, likely leading to continued growth in carpooling. BlaBlaCar may see thousands more drivers joining the platform as people seek to reduce their transportation costs in the face of rising fuel prices.