Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council have published draft proposals for the UK’s first city centre Zero Emission Zone to be operational from December 2020.
Being referred to as the Red Zone it will apply to all vehicles, including HGVs and vans that enter the city centre between 7am and 7pm. Vehicles that fail to meet zero emission standards will incur a £10 daily charge to enter the zone.
There will be discounts for all blue badge holders entering the zone until December 2024. As well as exemptions for businesses registered in the Red Zone until December 2024, followed by a discount until December 2030.
Residents living in the zone will receive a 90% discount until December 2030. Buses and Oxford licensed Hackney Carriages which drive within the planned ZEZ have already agreed timelines for zero emissions fleets across Oxford and will not be subject to charges.
There is currently a very limited supply of vans which meet the criteria, and these will also have long lead times. Furthermore, no HGVs will currently meet the standard. The councils’ informal consultation is open until Friday 31 January and the BVRLA will be submitting a response.
A formal consultation will follow in March ahead of a decision later in spring. Members are encouraged to share their suggestions and views with BVRLA Senior Policy Adviser, Catherine Bowen.
More information can be found on the Oxford City Council website.
