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Like many other cities up and down the UK, Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council plan to introduce a Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) in Oxford to improve air quality, cut carbon emissions, and move towards zero-emission travel in the city.
Starting from this year under a new pilot scheme, drivers will face fines in certain city centre streets if they don’t have special exemptions, as part of the new Zero Emission Zone proposals.
Streets in the new pilot area
New Road – Between Bonn Square and its junction with Castle Street
Bonn Square – Whole length
Queen Street – Whole length
Cornmarket Street – Whole length
New Inn Hall Street – Whole length
Shoe Lane – Whole length
Market Street – From Cornmarket junction, extending east for 40 metres
Ship Street – Whole length
St Michael’s Street – Whole length
Under the plan, non-zero emission vehicles using these city centre streets in the zone between 7am and 7pm will be subject to charges.
Daily charges by vehicle band and emissions
| Vehicle band | Emissions | Daily charge from 2021 | Daily charge from 2025 |
| Zero emission vehicle (ZEV) | 0 g/km CO2 | £0 | £0 |
| Ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) | Emits less than 75 g/km CO2 National ultra-low emission truck standard will be adopted for HGVs when defined. | £2 | £4 |
| Low emission vehicle (LEV) | Vehicles with four or more wheels that meet the Euro 4/IV petrol or Euro 6/VI diesel standard.And vehicles with fewer than four wheels that emit 75 g/km CO2 or more. | £4 | £8 |
| All other vehicles | Any vehicle not meeting any of the above standards. | £10 | £20 |
A wider ZEZ (zero emission zone) covering the rest of the city centre will follow later.
Drivers can apply for exemptions and discounts.
There will be temporary exemptions and discounts for some road users, including disabled motorists, residents and businesses in the zone.
Residents in the pilot area can apply annually for a 90% charge discount, with up to two vehicles per address being registered. However, this would see a potential weekly charge of £14 (£672 annually) if both vehicles are used daily, and in 2025 prices are set to double!! All discounts will end on 31 July 2030.
Businesses operating in the ZEZ will be eligible for a 90% discount, with up to ten vehicles per business address being registered. However, the discount will not be available for business vehicles used for commuting.
Fines
A (PCN) penalty charge notice may be issued for non-payment of the daily charge.
The fine will be £120, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days of the date of the PCN.
If the daily charges are not paid within 28 days, a charge certificate may be issued, increasing the penalty to £180.
For more information, please see the Oxfordshire City Council website.
Critics
The new proposals are not without their critics as those on low income and unable to afford a zero emission vehicle are sadly the people most affected.
Electric Bikes to the Rescue
Vehicles that meet the Zero Emission Zone standards cost tens of thousands of pounds, making them financially impossible for many people. eBikes are worth serious thought. Consider just a few of the benefits of riding an eBike:
- Low running costs
- Cheap to maintain
- Zero carbon emissions
- Eco-friendly
- Reliable
- Assisted Pedalling (No sweaty commutes)
- No parking fines or congestion charges
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