About Us

About eCo Car Club

eCo Car Club traces its roots back to 2012 when the Derwent Valley Car Club (DVCC) was originally established with funding from the National Lottery’s Village SOS programme. Based in Blackhall Mill, Gateshead, DVCC became the UK’s pioneering electric car club. Operated by the Blackhall Mill Community Association, a charity limited by guarantee, DVCC was founded as a community-led initiative to provide sustainable, accessible transport while addressing social isolation in rural areas. 

During its early years, DVCC conducted extensive research into car clubs nationwide, developing a distinctive, community-focused approach. By 2015, a Department for Transport feasibility study confirmed local demand for multiple new hubs beyond Blackhall Mill.

In 2019, DVCC joined the SOSCI (Scaling on Street Charging Infrastructure) project, funded by Innovate UK and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, which installed 200 on-street EV charging posts and expanded the club with additional hubs. The club also participated in a national car club development programme supported by Motability Foundation, enabling expansion into two new locations and growth of the Voluntary Driver Scheme (VDS) across a wider area.

DVCC has contributed to innovative programmes including the Rural Energy Resilience project, part of the V2X Innovation Programme funded by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and delivered by Innovate UK. This project investigated how car club vehicles could support grid balancing by storing and feeding electricity back into the network when demand is high, as well as act as mobile power shuttles to provide electricity to community buildings during power outages. By integrating rural car clubs with local renewable energy sources, community buildings, and Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), the project demonstrated how electric vehicles can play a dual role, enhancing energy resilience while maintaining essential mobility for rural residents. This approach helps communities transition to net-zero energy systems while simultaneously improving transport options and reliability. 

Today, DVCC operates eight electric vehicles across the North, supported by regular members and a thriving Volunteer Driver Scheme that now accounts for 50% of usage, providing transport for those unable to drive.

DVCC’s expertise lies in creating sustainable, scalable, bottom-up transport solutions. The club has led feasibility studies and collaborated with communities in Keswick, Cockermouth, Rotherham, and Lancashire, sharing knowledge to support new initiatives. Recognising the growing need for accessible, low-carbon transport in rural areas. 

DVCC and Edge Innovation Ltd. secured funding in 2023 from the Connected Places Catapult and the Department for Transport TRIG programme to explore the potential for a replicable model. The findings from this work then led to further funding from the Royal Countryside Fund to develop the Car Club in a Box (CCiaB) model, packaging their experience, systems, and processes for replication in other communities.

The model builds on DVCC’s proven approach: a dual system of EV access and volunteer drivers, a bespoke operational booking platform, and tailored community support. This model provides affordable transport while fostering community pride, engagement, and resilience.

Over 10 years, DVCC has shown that community car clubs can reduce environmental impact, address social isolation, and deliver lasting social and economic benefits.

Through eCo Car Club, DVCC now offers this innovative, replicable community transport solution nationwide, helping communities overcome mobility challenges, decarbonise transport, and strengthen local networks, all while generating sustainable income to support the growth of their own clubs.