Oxford,
08
September
2021
|
17:21
Europe/London

ZEZ pilot to launch in February 2022

Britain’s first Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) pilot is set to launch in Oxford in February 2022, with the registration system for exemptions and discounts going live in December 2021.

Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council have confirmed the new timeline after working together to resolve technical complexities in the bespoke supporting online systems for the ZEZ. The refreshed dates avoid any disruption that might have been created by introducing the ZEZ pilot during the run up to Christmas – a crucial time for businesses.

The exact start date for the ZEZ pilot will be confirmed later this year followed by a review of the timeline for the wider ZEZ to cover most of Oxford city centre.

The ZEZ pilot means polluting vehicles will be charged if driven in key city centre streets between the hours of 7am - 7pm, seven days a week.

Councillor Tom Hayes, Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon Oxford, 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."

Under the ZEZ pilot, those who drive polluting vehicles into the zone will be charged, with the level of the charge dependent on how polluting the vehicle is. Under the scheme, zero emission vehicles will not be charged to drive in the zone.

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.

The ZEZ pilot will work in a similar way to the London Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone. Signs will be installed around the perimeter of the zone and on routes leading to it to notify drivers of the ZEZ pilot. Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras will be used to enforce the zone.

The ZEZ pilot will allow both councils to gain useful experience and information before introducing a larger Zero Emission Zone covering most of Oxford city centre, subject to further public consultation.

A range of exemptions and discounts are available, including for businesses and residents in the zone, and some other vehicle users.

Businesses, residents, and visitors are encouraged to visit the Zero Emission Zone website to understand how the scheme will affect them and to find out more about the daily charges.

The registration process to apply for discounts will open at least six weeks before the start of the ZEZ pilot.

Since the scheme’s approval in March 2021, both councils have been working on preparations for the ZEZ pilot, which includes preparing innovative enforcement systems, as well as working with businesses and residents to support the launch of the scheme.

This work has included, trialling e-cargo bikes to Oxford’s Covered Market, updating the Lord Mayor’s car to a Nissan Leaf, installing rapid electric charging points for taxis and residents, the start of cable route works for UK’s largest public electric vehicle charging hub at Redbridge Park and Ride.

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