Rural Car Clubs

Local car clubs were central to the Rural Energy Resilience project, showing how shared electric vehicles can support both everyday transport and community energy resilience. Working with Derwent Valley, Keswick and Weardale Car Clubs, the project built on trusted, community-led mobility services that already help people access work, healthcare, shopping and social activities in rural areas.

Through the project, car club vehicles were used to trial vehicle-to-grid (V2X) technology, enabling cars to supply electricity back to community buildings during power outages. Members valued being able to contribute to local resilience, helping create warm, safe spaces where residents could stay connected and supported during disruption. Vehicles remained available for bookings, with V2X use focused on emergencies or carefully managed situations.

Car clubs also provided an inclusive way to involve a wide range of people, including volunteer drivers and non-drivers. Hands-on testing helped build confidence, improve understanding of new technology, and highlight practical accessibility improvements. The project showed that car clubs can play a vital role in strengthening rural resilience, reducing emissions and supporting connected, sustainable communities