About us
Car Club In A Box
The Car Club in a Box (CCiaB) model was created to empower rural UK communities to adopt EV car club and voluntary driver schemes with a streamlined and integrated package of support, including technology, process and tools to implement alternative transportation solutions.
Created by Derwent Valley Car Club a project of Blackhall Mill Community Association who to this day a successful all EV rural community car club.
The CCiaB model follows a six-phase Car Club Road Map that facilitates the planning, implementation and maintenance of community car clubs in rural areas.
It offers four package options tailored to varying levels of community interest, knowledge and capacity, from basic resources to comprehensive support.
The CCiaB learning and support package includes essential documentation and technology for seamless club development and operation, featuring the Eco Car Club website, a customisable community-facing platform, and an operational system for bookings and payments.
The Eco Car Club website fosters community interaction through forums, enabling users to share experiences and best practices for ongoing improvement. Powered by the operational system, the website template serves as a user-friendly hub for community-specific information and resources.
The CCiaB operational booking system is a secure platform for club members to sign up, manage their membership, and book vehicles. It also facilitates the management of memberships and bookings for volunteer driver scheme users. All invoices are organised through the systems and secure payments through Stripe. Back-office management is streamlined through an administration function. Volunteers have secure access to manage their drives, and members can connect with other car club platforms within the Car Club in a Box network, allowing seamless hiring across different locations.
The CCiaB initiative aims to expedite the establishment of EV car clubs and micromobility solutions, breaking down pre- identified barriers from our previous research and development, and promoting sustainable, inclusive transportation solutions tailored to local needs. This approach provides significant benefits for the UK, aiding government efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. It also addresses transport cost burdens for rural residents, enhances community inclusivity, and empowers local ownership of transportation solutions.
We have pioneered an innovative community EV car club, uniquely combining car sharing with a driver scheme for members who can't drive. The low-cost nature of the initiative empowers residents to conveniently reach essential services and access opportunities.
Our model, unlike any other, addresses a critical gap in the market. While commercial car clubs thrive in profitable urban areas, community car clubs in rural localities struggle due to an overreliance on unsustainable commercial systems. We bridge this divide and create additionality with our unique system which manages the operation of car clubs with a voluntary driver programme.
Our innovative approach not only addresses a pressing rural and peri-urban market need but supports the growth and sustainability of community solutions.
