Unlock the Power of lift sharing

UNLOCK THE POWER OF LIFT SHARING

In the UK, 90% of commutes are made by solo drivers* yet 92% of commuters know at least one person they could share a lift with*. Lift sharing is a simple solution to the cost of car ownership, with a positive impact. Many of us car share more often than we think, whether it’s hopping in with friends to go to a gig or giving a co-worker a lift to the office - this is just a part of what we call ‘Thoughtful Driving’. Sharing a ride has so many brilliant benefits! It’s better for the environment and it’s also an opportunity to build social connections whilst giving your wallet a breather. If you’re interested in lift sharing but wonder if it’s worth it, keep reading to learn about the positive impact you could make.

1. BETTER FOR YOUR WALLET

Shared fuel costs: When it comes to fuel costs and taking the pressure off your purse, sharing really is caring! Lift sharing helps to save money by enabling fuel costs to be shared between the driver and passengers. People are saving significant sums of money that they’d overwise spend on fuel. One Liftshare member “saved around £1,500 in 6 months” simply by hopping in the car with others. Check out Liftshare’s ‘Savings calculator’ tool to see how much cash you could be saving.

Lower parking costs: Another pesky charge that lift sharing helps to reduce is parking costs. Most cities and urban areas charge for parking, which can really rack up over time, but sharing parking between drivers and passengers significantly lowers this cost. And for those driving in London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), sharing a ride means the £12.50 charge can be split too. To help their members navigate ULEZ, Liftshare has added some handy features to their app like: the ULEZ boundary map, showing whether a charge could apply to a journey; and allowing drivers to mark their vehicles as ULEZ compliant, which lets passengers know they’re exempt from the charge.

Less vehicle maintenance: Lift sharing reduces the miles we drive overall, which translates to less vehicle maintenance over time. That means routine check-ups and replacements won’t be needed as often due to less wear and tear of the vehicle, saving you from having to fork out more money.

02. HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT

Reduced emissions: When we lift share, we help to take more cars off the road. This translates to a reduction of the emissions that contribute to climate change. And, by simply sharing the journey with others, lift sharers collectively can help lower pollution levels.

Reduced traffic congestion: With fewer vehicles on the road, we could say “bye” to sitting in traffic! This reduction in congestion benefits everyone, making our commutes smoother and faster but it also reduces engine idling during times of congestion. A 2017 study found that idling can create enough emissions to fill 150 balloons a minute with harmful pollutants*. But lift sharing is a great antidote, it leaves less of a mark on the environment and helps to cut out unnecessary fuel consumption.

Conserved fuel: Saving fuel is a high priority for drivers, and lift sharing is a great way to help do that. As more people share a vehicle, total miles driven are reduced which also positively impacts the total fuel consumed. Not only does this help the environment in the short term, but this has a knock-on effect for our future too!

Leading to land efficiency: Lift sharing doesn’t just affect the roads; it has the power to change our landscape too. As the roads become less congested when more people begin to share rides, our need for parking infrastructure decreases. This would be another little step towards a greener planet, creating space for more parks and the development of green urban spaces.

3. A CHANCE TO MEET NEW PEOPLE

Build connections: Lift sharing has a sociable side too - it’s a great way to meet new people and make friends. For example, sharing the commute with a colleague can help you build a friendship - from chatting in the morning, to unwinding together on the way home. It’s also a way to reduce the stress of driving. Some Liftshare members have noticed they’re “less tired by the end of the week” because they were “no longer doing all the driving”.

Form a community: Lift sharing brings people together and can create a support system for people who need it. For parents, lift sharing can alleviate the stress of necessary trips like school runs. This saves parents time and provides more opportunities for children to socialise, win-win for everyone!

man with a backpack waving to a passing car

Now that you’ve seen the positive impact of lift sharing, don’t just take our word for it! Nearly 700,000 Liftshare members are on the road, and we’ve spoken to some of them to get their best tips to help you on your way!

Find out more on the Liftshare website.

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