Members of the EEVC come from all walks of life. They vary from engineers, to accountants, to housewives, to mechanics, to teachers and students, to retired people. Some own and drive electric vehicles, while others just enjoy coming to the meetings or receiving the newsletter. Many join the club because they're interested in obtain an electric vehicle in the future, and look to the club for advice on getting one. Others want to build their own, and join the club because it is an excellent source of technical information and practical advice on electric vehicles.
Meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month, at 7:00 p.m. in West Conshohocken, PA. Meeting topics vary widely. Some meetings are devoted to planning club activities and events; some are technical sessions covering the art of EV building, operation, and maintenance. Always there are club members in attendance who are recognized experts in the field, and who are always ready to give advice to those who have questions.
All members of the EEVC receive the club's monthly newsletter, which
carries technical articles, news about club activities, updates on EV news
from around the world, and schedules of club events. The newsletter is circulated
in the United States from New Jersey to Hawaii, to the offices of the U.S.
Department of Energy, to the major automobile companies, and to readers
in other countries, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It has
been called one of the most respected newsletters in the electric vehicle
field.
Many members of the club live in other states, and cannot attend meetings
in person. They depend on the newsletter to keep them up to date on what's
happening, and to get the latest technical information.
Besides the regular meetings, club members participate in many other
activities. A favorite is Duryea Days, a major car show held each labor
day weekend in Boyertown, Berks County. Here clubmembers show off their
vehicles to thousands of people who come to admire a varied mix of unique
and historic cars.
Other events include Earth Day, and various local ecology and energy activities.
When local television stations want to run an update on electric cars, they
usually contact us.
Some EEVC members build their own electric vehicles. Some enjoy converting regular gasoline-powered cars to electric power. Some of the more adventurous ones design and build cars completely from the ground up.
Electric vehicles have a long history. At the turn of the century, most
of the cars on the road were electric, and even in later years electrics
remained popular. Even Mrs. Henry Ford didn't drive a Ford; she drove a
Detroit Electric.
We feel it's important to preserve this heritage, and the EEVC works closely
with the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, in Boyertown, Berks County,
PA. This museum now houses the largest collection of electric vehicles in
the United States. They include passenger cars dating back to 1920 (including
a 1920 Detroit Electric similar to the one Mrs. Henry Ford drove), a 1913
electric bus, passenger cars dating up to the present, and an interesting
selection of industrial and commercial vehicles.
Some clubmembers assist the museum in restoring and repairing these vehicles,
and have already put a considerable number of them into working order. For
those who really enjoy getting their hands into the machinery, this is a
wonderful opportunity.
Club dues are $15 per year. Just mail a check with your name and address to
EEVC
Box 717, Valley Forge, PA 19482