30 percent of inner-city traffic is caused simply by looking for a parking space. Drivers in large cities spend more than 60 hours of their lifetime looking for a parking space. The wasted time, the additional fuel and the additional exhaust emissions caused by the search for a parking space cost Germans more than 40 billion euros a year.

That doesn’t have to be the case, said the makers of the Ampido Parking smartphone app. The app provides parking space in inner cities that remains unused while a large number of drivers are looking in vain for a parking space: private garage entrances, vacant lots, temporarily available employee parking spaces or supermarket parking spaces after closing time.

Ampido Parking does not propose public car parks or street spaces. The Android app gives you the opportunity to book temporary private parking spaces and park your vehicle there for a small fee. You use parking spaces that are provided by private individuals for an hourly or daily rate on the platform and can be booked directly via the Ampido app.

All you have to do is enter the location or search at the current location, enter the time period and the app will suggest all available parking spaces in your area.

By the way: You don’t have to have money for a parking meter with you: You pay via the app.