In response to the severe shortage of safe parking for industrial vehicles across Europe, the Swedish start-up Drivers First has developed a project to establish a wide network of equipped rest areas around major cities like Stockholm, Malmö, and Gothenburg, as well as along the busy E4 and E6 highways. The goal is to improve conditions for drivers, who are often forced to stop in isolated areas without amenities, while also creating new economic opportunities for the regions where these parking facilities will be established.
The first facility has been inaugurated in Eskilstuna—about 100 kilometers west of Stockholm—offering 24-hour shops, restrooms, showers, Wi-Fi, private security, and, of course, a large number of illuminated and monitored parking spaces. Bookings are digitalized, allowing drivers or their employers to plan and reserve their stops in advance, check real-time space availability, and identify the nearest available facility. The cost to access the area is 150 Swedish crowns per day, approximately 13 euros. The next facility is expected to open further south in Norrköping, with negotiations underway in cities like Jönköping, Malmö, and Stockholm, where the demand for secure parking is particularly high.
The company’s website states, “We offer modern, safe rest areas where security, comfort, and social sustainability are our priorities. Our facilities are designed to provide truck drivers with the rest they need, with clean restrooms and showers, secure parking, Wi-Fi, and social spaces. We want to make your journey easier by creating safe environments where you can feel at home, knowing you have a digitally reserved spot.”
The project is financed through collaboration and participation from key investors, generating revenue not only from parking fees but also from leasing agreements with partners such as electricity suppliers, vending machine operators, and restaurants. In the near future, Drivers First parking areas will be equipped with charging stations for electric trucks. The model introduced by Drivers First is as simple as it is effective, and could easily be replicated across Europe by reclaiming disused or abandoned areas along major highways or near key logistics hubs and interports.
Marco Martinelli
