India, the market BlaBlaCar once walked away from, is now its biggest.
In a remarkable turn of events, India has emerged as the largest market for BlaBlaCar, the global carpooling giant, surpassing even its home country of France and Brazil. This milestone highlights the company's successful navigation of a complex market and the increasing demand for shared mobility solutions in the country.
BlaBlaCar's journey in India has been anything but linear. The company initially launched in India in 2015, marking its first foray outside of Europe. However, the early days were challenging, and BlaBlaCar eventually wrapped up its active operations in India at the beginning of 2017. According to Nicolas Brusson, co-founder, the company might have entered the market "a little too early". At that time, the number of private cars was limited.
Despite the initial setback, BlaBlaCar recognized the long-term potential of the Indian market and maintained its presence. The company focused on adapting its platform to the specific needs of Indian travelers, integrating key features such as enhanced safety measures and digital payment options. This strategic approach, combined with organic growth through word-of-mouth and user trust, has proven highly successful.
In August 2025, India reached a historic milestone of 2 million passengers, with daily peaks exceeding 100,000. The company now anticipates serving nearly 20 million passengers by the end of 2025, representing a 50% increase compared to 2024. This impressive growth has propelled India to become BlaBlaCar's largest market globally, accounting for one-third of the company's total carpooling activity.
Several factors have contributed to BlaBlaCar's resurgence in India. The country's massive urban population, with an increase of 150 million people living in urban areas between 2010 and 2024, has fueled the demand for affordable and convenient transportation options. Additionally, the rapid growth of car ownership in India, with the car fleet expanding from 141 million vehicles in 2011 to 354 million in 2022, has created a large pool of potential drivers for the platform. The company tailored its product to local needs and integrated safety and digital payment features, proving a perfect product–market fit.
BlaBlaCar's success in India also stands in contrast to the struggles of other ride-hailing and carpooling services in the country. While companies like Ola, Uber, and Rapido have faced regulatory hurdles and operational challenges, BlaBlaCar has managed to gain traction by focusing on intercity travel and promoting carpooling as a sustainable and cost-effective solution.
Looking ahead, BlaBlaCar has ambitious plans for further expansion in India. The company aims to continue investing in the market, increase its team size, and potentially establish a local office, with Delhi being a likely location. While BlaBlaCar's revenue in India is currently zero, as the company focuses on building a critical mass of users, there are plans to introduce a commission system in the coming years. Moreover, the company envisions expanding its offerings to include buses and trains, similar to its operations in other countries. According to the platform's CEO, India could eventually become BlaBlaCar's largest market in terms of revenue.
