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Oxford will launch its Zero Emission Zone pilot in February 2022
14 October 2021
Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council have confirmed that the city will introduce Britain’s first Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) pilot in February 2022.
The registration system for exemptions and discounts, including for businesses and residents in the zone, will go live in December 2021 in preparation for the launch.
The ZEZ, approved in March 2021, was originally set to go live in August 2021. This deadline was postponed to avoid disruption during the run up to Christmas, which is a crucial time for businesses recovering from the pandemic.
The ZEZ pilot will operate between 7am - 7pm, seven days a week, covering the following streets: New Road, Bonn Square, Queen Street, Cornmarket Street, New Inn Hall Street, Shoe Lane, Market Street, Ship Street and St Michael’s Street.
A timeline for when the ZEZ will expand, covering most of Oxford city centre, will be confirmed later this year, along with an exact date for the launch of the pilot.
The daily charges will be:
- Zero-emission vehicles (0g/km CO2): £0
- Ultra-low emission vehicles (less than 75g/km CO2): £2 per day from February 2022, rising to £4 per day from August 2025.
- Clean Air Zone compliant or Low emission vehicles: £4 per day from February 2022, rising to £8 per day from August 2025.
- Motorcycles and mopeds: £2 per day from February 2022, rising to £4 per day from August 2025
- Vehicles not meeting the above standards: £10 per day from February 2022, rising to £20 from August 2025.
Councillor Tom Hayes, Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon Oxford, Oxford City Council said, “If you’ve been to the shops recently and wondered why some shelves look bare, you’ll understand why we’re launching the Zero Emission Zone early next year. With businesses being hit by shortages and COVID’s lingering effects, we want to give Oxford’s economy a helping hand to have the best Christmas possible. With our IT problems sorted, the Zero Emission Zone pilot can launch in February 2022 in a way which we can truly learn from. That way we can move to extending the ZEZ across the city centre, so that we can improve the air and health of people.”
Councillor Duncan Enright, Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy said, "Poor air quality in our beloved city is a major concern, and alongside the climate emergency this means we need to act. The Oxford Zero Emission Zone pilot is an important step in tackling these problems, and will make our city centre a cleaner, healthier and more attractive place to live, work, visit and shop. It will also mean there is more space for those on foot and bikes, as well as our vital bus and taxi services.
"We will be working in coming months with residents and businesses to adapt to this change, and plan next steps to make Oxford a cleaner, lovelier and more sustainable city, fit for the future."
You can find out more about the ZEZ, including a map of the pilot area, discounts and exemptions, financial support options and how to check your vehicle’s emissions here.
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