Car owners in Spain are turning idle vehicles into summer income
Peer-to-peer car rentals have skyrocketed in demand in places like Madrid, Malaga and Alicante
Last summer, the practice of renting out private swimming pools to holidaymakers and daytrippers exploded in Spain and netted thousands in extra cash for homeowners across the country. This year, car owners have caught on to the trend and figured out an equally clever way to turn their idle vehicles into cash machines.
During the summer months, when many people go on holiday or simply walk more and drive less, our vehicles can often sit idle for weeks at a time.
Now, drivers in Spain have discovered they can turn this downtime into serious income by renting their cars to other people. And summer is the best time to do it if you don't plan on using your vehicle much.
Amovens, the leading peer-to-peer car rental platform in Spain, is predicting a 40% jump in bookings compared to last summer. According to the company, renting your vehicle when you're not using it, like while you're off on holiday, can generate an average of €1,000 per month. That's not pocket change. For many families, that could cover a significant chunk of their vacation expenses or help with those rising living costs we're all dealing with.
Alberto Bajjali, CEO of Amovens, believes that an owned vehicle remains parked 95% of the time. Think about your own car for a moment. How many hours each day is it actually being driven versus sitting in your driveway or on the street?
"Every car that remains idle is a lost opportunity for its owner and for the city. Our challenge is to give these vehicles a second life, turn them into a tool for generating income and contribute to smarter and more sustainable mobility," Mr Bajjali explained.
"The rise of peer-to-peer car rentals is driving the circular economy and reducing the number of cars on the road. Fewer idling vehicles means less congested cities. Sharing is key to moving toward more efficient and sustainable car use," he added.
This summer, the largest demand for rental cars is in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Malaga and Alicante.
For anyone wondering how this actually works, the process couldn't be more straightforward. To register your car, you just go to the Amovens website and fill in your details about yourself and your vehicle. Upload some photos, decide how and when you want to rent your car out and you're basically done.
According to the company, in just five minutes, your car will be ready for your first rental.
Find all the latest motoring and travel news here or join our Driving in Spain Facebook group for regular updates
Image: Pexels
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