Honest John News Driving

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 

Oxford ZEZ Pilot Web Map 2022 (1)

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
Councillor Duncan Enright, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for travel and development strategy, said: “This is a proud moment for our city. The first ZEZ scheme in the country is launching in Oxford. We are taking concrete actions to improve air quality in the city and to make it cleaner and safer.

“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. 

1

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.

2

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.

3

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. 

Ask HJ

Why is my car not compliant with the London ULEZ?

My car is a BMW 318d on a 14 plate. I did a check on a couple of websites and it came back as not acceptable for the London Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). Yet I tried another car, a year older and it was acceptable. This was also a diesel, same model, but older. I also noticed a Mazda RX8, which was 16 years old and I believe quite high on emissions, and again this was acceptable for ULEZ. My question is why is mine not acceptable, yet older cars are OK? It doesn't seem fair at all. Clean air zones will become the norm in towns and cities fairly soon, so I will have to consider selling it after only owning it for a year.
ULEZ compliance is determined by total tailpipe emissions. It isn't decided on the age of the vehicle or its engine's Euro rating. Petrol cars emit less harmful emissions (particulate matter and nitrogen oxides) which means a 16-year-old Euro4 can qualify whereas a 7 or 8-year-old Euro5 may not. For more information on the London ULEZ, see: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/ulez-ultra-low-emissions-zone-london/
Answered by Dan Powell
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Ask HJ

Which used Toyota Prius hybrid should I buy?

Many of us are being forced to consider changing petrol cars to used hybrids. Could you tell me which Toyota Prius models/years from 2008 onwards qualify for free or reduced road tax, Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) exemption and London Congestion Charge exemption?
I'd recommend the old shape Toyota Prius 1.8 petrol hybrid. It emits less than 100g/km and qualifies for zero VED road tax. Hybrids are not exempt from the London Congestion Charge, but the Prius will not be charged to enter the London ULEZ. For more information, see: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/toyota/prius-2009/
Answered by Dan Powell
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