What if your company car park became a source of income?

At first glance, a company car park is nothing out of the ordinary. It is a functional, unobtrusive space that we use every morning without really thinking about it. Then it gradually empties, until it becomes silent and still.

However, its capacity is sometimes greater than its actual daily use. Some spaces therefore remain unoccupied during the day, at weekends and during periods of lower activity (school holidays, partial remote working, long weekends and public holidays, etc.).

These spaces already exist; they are equipped, secure and often ideally located in urban or suburban areas. Yet some of them may remain unused for long periods of time.

So, in a context where demand for parking is high in many cities, this occasional availability represents an opportunity. Without changing the car park’s primary use, it becomes possible to make better use of these unoccupied spaces and explore new revenue-generating uses. Focus in this article!

Why are company car parks strategic assets?

Let’s not forget: company car parks are property spaces in their own right, often situated in high-value areas, and already fully developed.

Firstly, their location is a major asset. Most company car parks are situated in urban areas, close to business hubs, train stations, shopping districts and major transport routes. In other words, where demand for parking is highest.

Secondly, there is their very nature: they are existing infrastructure. No construction is required, no land needs to be acquired, and there are no heavy initial investments. The car park is there, operational, secure and accessible. All that remains is to optimise its use.

Finally, their occupancy is rarely constant. Depending on working hours, days of the week and times of year, some spaces remain available. A simple reality, but one that is often underestimated.

This is precisely what makes it a strategic asset. Because unlike other areas of the business, the car park has the potential to generate value without impacting core operations. It is therefore less of a fixed cost and more of a partially exploitable resource, capable of evolving towards a new, more flexible and more profitable use.

Different ways to monetise a company car park: 5 ideas.

A company car park is not meant to remain a static space. When it is not being used to full capacity, it can become a real opportunity for value creation, without compromising its primary use for staff. Several models exist today to transform these square metres into a source of revenue.

↪ Renting parking spaces to neighbouring businesses.

This is often the first avenue to explore. Depending on the area, demand can be very high, particularly in city centres and near transport links.

Depending on the location, a parking space can be rented for between €80 and €150 per month. For example, in major cities, average rents often hover around €120–€145 per month for a standard space, whilst in less competitive areas, rates are closer to €80–€90 per month.

In practical terms, if you have 10 spaces available and rent them out for €120 each per month, this represents €1,200 in monthly income, or over €14,000 per year, without any additional property investment or major works.

This estimate is indicative (prices vary depending on the city, security, access, etc.), but it gives a tangible idea of the income potential simply by capitalising on what is already there!

The company then transforms an underused space into a recurring income stream, whilst retaining control over its primary use.

↪ Occasional availability during events.

Another highly effective way to maximise the value of a company car park is to rent it out on an ad hoc basis during periods of high demand. Concerts, matches, trade fairs, festivals and major urban events: at such times, parking becomes scarce, and therefore more expensive.

In practical terms, a parking space can then be rented by the day, or even by the evening, at rates significantly higher than those for a standard monthly lease. Depending on the city and the proximity to the event, prices often range from €10 to €30 per day per space, and sometimes even more in areas where parking is in very short supply.

↪ The use of parking management solutions (such as Sharvy).

Today, the use of parking management solutions, such as Sharvy, is radically changing the way businesses manage their car parks. These solutions make it easier for staff to book spaces, optimise allocation based on actual needs and prevent spaces from remaining unused by default.

But their benefits go further: they also help to streamline car park usage by adapting rules according to time periods, user profiles and occupancy rates.

Thus, a vacated space can be reallocated automatically, and in some cases, unused spaces can be opened up for other uses, without complicating internal management.

The company thus retains full control of its car park, whilst maximising its occupancy rate and gradually transforming a static space into a more valuable, flexible asset with the potential to generate revenue.

↪ The installation of charging points for electric vehicles.

With the transition to electric mobility, the installation of charging points in company car parks is becoming an increasingly relevant opportunity, even though it remains relatively rare in many organisations. Yet it responds to a clear shift in usage: the gradual rise in the number of electric vehicles among staff and visitors.

In practical terms, when a Parking Management system is in place, charging can not only be offered but also monetised in a simple and transparent manner. Solutions such as Sharvy, for example, allow usage to be tracked and billed according to various criteria: per kilowatt-hour consumed, per identified user, or according to internal rules defined by the company. This makes it possible to turn every charging session into measurable revenue, whilst maintaining centralised and automated management.

In practical terms, once installed, these charging points not only make the car park more useful but also generate revenue on a pay-as-you-go basis through charging billing.

Beyond this economic aspect, these installations also help modernise the company’s image and address CSR challenges. However, despite these advantages, their deployment remains limited in many companies, making them a current opportunity for proactive planning and differentiation.

↪ Optimisation for alternative uses (logistics & temporary storage).

Company car parks can also be opened up to more recent uses, linked to new urban dynamics. In some cases, unoccupied spaces can be made available for ad-hoc needs such as urban logistics, last-mile deliveries or even the temporary storage of vehicles and goods.

In practical terms, with the rise of e-commerce and the saturation of city centres, logistics operators are increasingly seeking collection points close to delivery zones. A company car park, particularly when located in an urban or suburban area, can therefore become a strategic space for facilitating distribution, organising delivery rounds or temporarily accommodating commercial vehicles.

Similarly, certain spaces can be used as temporary storage areas, for example during seasonal peaks in activity, construction projects or special operations.

These uses are still emerging, but they are clearly part of a wider transformation of cities and consumption patterns. Above all, they illustrate a key idea: a car park is no longer just a parking space, but can become an active link in urban logistics, capable of generating value whilst adapting to new economic flows.

The company car park as a source of revenue: the benefits for the business.

Monetising a company car park offers several tangible and complementary benefits. Firstly, it generates additional revenue by utilising a space that is often underused, or even completely idle at certain times of the day. Without altering the site’s core operations, the car park thus becomes a source of additional cash flow derived from an existing asset, which directly improves its overall profitability.

Secondly, this optimisation contributes to better management of the company’s property assets. By increasing the actual utilisation rate of the land, the company improves the return on its space and, in the long term, enhances the perceived value of its property portfolio.

Finally, the benefits are not solely financial. This approach also aligns with environmental impact and brand image considerations. By facilitating access to parking and contributing to improved urban traffic flow, the company helps reduce certain friction points associated with urban mobility. Furthermore, by installing facilities such as charging points for electric vehicles, it actively supports the energy transition and reinforces its commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Constraints and points to bear in mind.

Firstly, the legal framework and local regulations must be carefully examined, as rules governing town planning, safety and the use of spaces can vary from one local authority to another and strictly regulate the provision of parking spaces to third parties.

Secondly, the issue of safety and liability in the event of an incident is central. The company often remains liable for the spaces it operates, which means clearly defining access conditions, necessary insurance and surveillance measures to limit risks.

Access management and traffic control are also key considerations, particularly to prevent unauthorised entry, conflicts over usage and overcrowding of the company car park. This often requires the implementation of tools (such as Sharvy) to manage entry and exit in a smooth and secure manner.

Added to this is the issue of taxation on the revenue generated, which must be planned for in advance to ensure the revenue is correctly classified and complies with the company’s tax regime.

How to set up a project to monetise a company car park? 3 key steps.

↪ Carry out a detailed assessment of the current situation.

The first step is to gain a detailed understanding of how the car park is actually used on a day-to-day basis. All too often, companies have a broad view (“the car park is full” and “the car park is empty”), whereas the reality is much more nuanced.

You need to analyse occupancy rates by time slot (morning, midday, evening), by day of the week, and even by time of year. In many cases, there are peaks in the morning, followed by a gradual drop in usage, with spaces remaining vacant for long periods during the day, as well as at weekends.

This analysis also helps identify ‘dormant zones’ in the company car park: less-used levels, spaces far from the main entrances, and time slots that are completely under-utilised.

It is also important to cross-reference this data with the company’s operations (remote working, holidays, flexible working, regular travel), in order to distinguish between unavoidable needs and the capacity actually available.

Finally, this phase enables an assessment of external potential: the site’s location, parking pressure in the neighbourhood, and proximity to offices, stations and event venues.

↪ Define a valuation model tailored to your business.

Once the potential has been identified, the challenge is to develop a model that reflects the reality of the business. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but rather several possible approaches, which can also be combined.

Some companies prefer long-term leasing of spaces to local businesses, in order to generate a stable and predictable income. Others opt for a more flexible approach, opening the car park on an ad hoc basis during peaks in demand, such as events, tourist seasons and specific evenings.

It is also possible to integrate additional services, such as charging points for electric vehicles, which allow each use to be monetised on a pay-as-you-go basis.

In all cases, it is crucial to establish clear rules: which spaces are available, at what times, with what level of priority for staff, and at what rates. The aim is to strike a balance between financial performance and convenience for internal users, without creating friction within the organisation.

↪ Use tools and test gradually.

The success of the project depends largely on its operational implementation. Manually managing shared spaces, external access and occupancy rules quickly becomes complex and prone to errors.

This is why the use of digital tools is now a key enabler. Solutions such as Sharvy allow you to centralise space management, automate booking allocation, control access and adapt rules according to user profiles.

Beyond the technology itself, a phased approach is strongly recommended. Rather than transforming the entire car park in one go, it is preferable to launch a pilot phase on a limited scale: a few spaces, on certain days or during specific time slots. This phase allows you to test actual demand, observe usage patterns, adjust pricing and address any potential friction points.

Once the model has been validated, the roll-out can be expanded with confidence, with better control over operational impacts and smoother internal adoption.

In conclusion

In a business environment where every square metre counts, car parks can become a real driver of value creation, provided we change our perspective. Without major transformation or disrupting the existing organisation, it is possible to turn them into a more useful asset—and even a revenue generator!

What matters is not so much the size of the car park as the way it is used. A few available spaces, clearly marked and well managed, can already make a difference. And beyond the financial aspect, it is also a way of positioning the business within a more modern, flexible dynamic, in step with new urban and mobility trends.

Any questions? Check out the following FAQ!

Do you need a very large car park for it to be profitable?

No, not necessarily. Even a limited number of spaces can generate value, provided they are well-located and available at the right times. Profitability depends more on usage and local demand than on the car park’s sheer size.

Is it complicated to set up internally?

It depends on the scope of the project, but nowadays there are tools available to greatly simplify management. With good organisation and clear rules from the outset, implementation can be gradual and controlled.

Can we maintain priority for staff?

Yes, and this is actually a key factor in the project’s success. Maximising the value of a car park must never be at the expense of staff comfort. On the contrary, it is generally designed to adapt to internal needs, ensuring that staff requirements remain a priority at all times.

In practical terms, this involves setting clear rules: certain spaces can be reserved primarily for teams, certain time slots can remain exclusively for internal use, and only spaces that are genuinely available are opened up for other uses. This approach helps to avoid any tension or frustration.

With the right tools, this management process becomes even smoother than before!