Oxford e-scooter trial extended to November 2022

Residents and visitors in Oxford will be able to hire zero emission e-scooters for a further eight months, after the trial scheme in the city was extended until November 2022.

The announcement also marks more than a year since the trial run by Oxfordshire County Council and delivery partner Voi Technology was first introduced.

There are currently 656 trial Voi e-scooters available for hire in the city, which have taken nearly 210,000 journeys and travelled more than 310,000 miles to date. These trips have saved approximately 130 tonnes of carbon emissions according to Voi estimates.

The e-scooter trial began in Headington on 28 February 2021 before expanding to the wider city.

Bill Cotton, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Environment and Place, said: “We are encouraged to see the number of people in Oxford who have embraced the e-scooters as a way to get around the city. They are providing a genuinely sustainable means of getting from A to B while helping reduce traffic congestion.

Monitoring data from Voi shows that the vast majority of riders have been using the e-scooters responsibly and considerately of others. With the extension of the trial, residents can continue to benefit from a convenient, green and low-cost mode of travel."

Jack Samler, General Manager at Voi UK and Ireland, said: “We are delighted Oxfordshire County Council has supported our presence in this prestigious city by extending our trial until November 2022.

“Over the next eight months, we will continue to offer a safe, convenient and sustainable mode of transport while offering residents and visitors a fun way to commute or visit the city.

“The county council has been an exemplary leader in promoting low carbon transport, as can be seen not only by embracing e-scooters but also by the introduction of its zero emission zone.

“This extension is invaluable and strengthens an already proactive collaboration. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our riders and are delighted to be continuing our Oxford Voi-age.”

Celebrating its one year in Oxford landmark, Voi is offering new riders the opportunity to claim 15 free minutes of scooting using a unique code accessible when they start using the e-scooters.