Oxford Zero Emission Zone goes live
Drivers of petrol and diesel vehicles, including hybrids, now have to pay a daily charge of up to £10 to enter the Oxford Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ).
Oxford is the first city in the UK to introduce a Zero Emission Zone as it, along with other cities, looks to tackle air pollution and meet legal targets.
It follows the expansion of the London Ultra-Low Emission Zone and the introduction of Clean Air Zones in Bath and Birmingham in 2021.
The Oxford Zero Emission Zone is being piloted in a number of streets in the city centre, ahead of plans to introduce a larger ZEZ covering most of the city centre in 2023 (subject to a public consultation).
Map of the Oxford Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) pilot
The zone will operate from 7am to 7pm each day and will be enforced using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.
Zero emission vehicles, such as electric cars, can enter the pilot area free of charge, with cars that emit less than 75g/km of carbon dioxide (CO2) being charged £2, Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel cars attracting a £4 charge and all other cars having to pay £10.
The charges are set to double from August 2025, with some drivers paying up to £20 to enter the ZEV.
Vehicle band | Vehicle emissions | Daily charge from 28 February 2022 | Daily charge from August 2025 |
Zero emission vehicle (ZEV) | 0g/km CO2 | £0 | £0 |
Ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEZ) | Emits less than 75g/km CO2 | £2 | £4 |
Low emission vehicle (LEV) | Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards | £4 | £8 |
All other vehicles | Any vehicle not meeting the any of the above standards | £10 | £20 |
“Our vision is to create a zero-carbon transport network by 2040 and the ZEZ pilot is an important step towards achieving that vision.
“We will learn from the pilot and in the coming months we will consult with local communities as we develop plans to expand the ZEZ across the city centre. We hope that residents, businesses and visitors will join us in our journey towards a carbon neutral future.”
The ZEV pilot was originally due to launch in August 2021 but was delayed due to technical problems with the online system that supports the zone.
Which streets are in the Oxford ZEZ pilot?
The Oxford Zero Emission Zone pilot covers: New Road, between Bonn Square and its junction with Castle Street; Bonn Square; Queen Street; Cornmarket Street; New Inn Hall Street; Shoe Lane; Market Street, from Cornmarket junction east for 40 metres; Ship Street; and St Michael’s Street.
When does the Oxford ZEZ operate?
The Oxford Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) pilot one will operate from 7am to 7pm each day and will be enforced using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.
How much will I pay to enter the Oxford ZEZ?
Zero emission vehicles, such as electric cars, can enter the pilot area of the Oxford Zero Emission Zone (ZEV) free of charge.
Cars that emit less than 75g/km of carbon dioxide (CO2) will be charged £2, Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel cars attract a £4 charge and all other cars have to pay £10.
The charges are set to double from August 2025, with some drivers paying up to £20 to enter the ZEV.
Paul Brooks on 8 February 2022
The government has now given cyclists more priority SO now it's time to make them PAY for their entitlement to use the ROADS AS THEY DON'T HAVE ANY OF THE OTHER ISSUES THAT MOTORISTS HAVE LIKE MOTs INSURANCE ROAD TAX FUEL TAX .ALSO THE ROADS ARE IN A BAD STATE OF REPAIR ITS A DAM LIBERTY. DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE ROADS NOW. STOP GIVING AWAY ALL OF THE MONIES TO OTHER COUNTRIES AND SPEND MORE ON OUR ROADS.Pete Sanders on 10 February 2022
Don't be too smug about this. I don't believe this will stop once so called zero emissions have been achieved, if indeed they ever are. These local authorities will get used to this income and will continue these charges for zero emission vehicles as well to keep the money flowing in. And I say this as someone who has already made the switch to an electric car!
Brit_in_Germany on 3 March 2022
Good to see that Mr. Angry from Purley has come out of retirement.
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