The Oxford Zero Emission Zone And What It Could Mean For You

Air pollution is a growing problem throughout the UK, and multiple cities are introducing clean or low-emission zones to discourage motorists from driving polluting vehicles.

Oxford will be the very first UK city to introduce a zero-emission zone!

This new zone will have a significant impact on road users across Oxford. Luckily, Scrap Local has created this quick guide to fill you in on everything you need about Oxford’s zero emission zone. We’ll also show you how to scrap your high-emission vehicle in Oxford for the best prices!

How Will The Zero Emission Zone In Oxford Work?

Oxford’s zero emission zone will run from 7 am to 7 pm every week. Vehicles travelling through the zero emission zone will be monitored and charged a daily fee if they fail to meet the zone’s standards for emissions.

The new zone will mainly run through Oxford’s City Centre and will be introduced in two phases to ensure it’s feasible.

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Clean Air Zone Live Since 2022-02-28 00:00:00

Will I Be Charged Under The New Emission Zone?

Most vehicles must pay a daily charge to drive through Oxford’s zero-emission zone. The amount motorists will have to pay will be determined by their vehicle’s emission standards.

View the daily charges for different vehicles travelling through Oxford’s zero emission zone for both phases here:

Which Roads Are Covered On The Oxford Zero Emission Zone Map?

The first phase, also known as the Pilot Scheme, will start on the 28th February 2022.

During the Pilot Scheme, a small number of streets in the city centre will be covered and subject to charges.

Oxfordshire City Council is planning to expand the zero emission zone so that the whole of Oxford is covered by 2025!

During the first phase of Oxford’s zero emission zone, the following roads will be subject to new rules and daily charges:

  • New Road (OX1 1AY)
  • Bonn Square (OX1 1LQ)
  • Queen Street (OX1 1PE)
  • Cornmarket Street (OX1 3EZ)
  • New Inn Hall Street (OX1 2DH)
  • Shoe Lane (OX1 2DP)
  • Market Street (OX1 3EF)
  • Ship Street (OX1 3DA)
  • St Michael’s Street (OX1 2DU)

The zero-emission zone will cover the full length of these roads except for New Road and Market Street.

The area between Bonn Square and the junction leading to Castle Street will also be covered along New Road.

On Market Street, the zero emission zone will extend east for 40 metres from the road’s junction with Cornmarket.

Information on Oxford’s zero emission zone is always subject to change. That’s why Scrap Local recommends that you use Oxfordshire City Council’s website for current details on where the zero-emission zone in Oxford will be.

How To Avoid Fines In Oxford Zone: Available Exemptions

If you don’t pay the daily charge in 6 days, then you’ll be issued a penalty charge notice and a fee of £120!

This amount will be reduced to £60 if the daily charge is paid within 14 days of the penalty charge notice being issued.

No vehicle will be banned from entering the zone, yet this scheme is designed to encourage more people to transition to cleaner vehicles and to stop using polluting cars and vans.

There will be exemptions and discounts for road users listed below. However, these exemptions and discounts are only temporary and could change as Oxford’s zero-emission zone expands:

Currently, there are 2 forms of exemptions. These are listed below.

For more information on the current discounts and exemptions from the zero-emission zone please see Oxfordshire City Council’s official website.

Will I Be Charged Under The New Emission Zone?

Most vehicles must pay a daily charge to drive through Oxford’s zero-emission zone. The amount motorists will have to pay will be determined by their vehicle’s emission standards.

The prices listed are subject to change and an ultra-low emission truck standard has yet to be set for HGVs travelling through the zero emission zone in Oxford.

Scrap Local advices that road users visit Oxfordshire City Council’s website for up-to-date information on the zero-emission zone charges in Oxford.

Here are the daily charges for different vehicles travelling through Oxford’s zero emission zone for both phases:

Grants And Funding In Oxford's Low Emission Zone

Grants and funding have been available to residents and businesses across the Oxford Low Emission Zone. These are for:

  • Community transport vehicles
  • Businesses in the zero-emission zone
  • Residents in the zero-emission zone
  • Students in financial hardship moving in or out of the zero-emission zone

The best method of applying for a discount is online, which you can do below.

You can also call 0345 310 1111 (option 3).

Where Is The Best Place To Scrap My Car In Oxford?

Want to avoid paying £10 or more to drive your car in Oxford’s zero emission zone?

The best thing you can do for Oxford’s air and your wallet is scraping your car with a trusted vehicle specialist.

Fortunately, Scrap Local can help you scrap your high-emission car in Oxford without any hassle and for the best price!

We won’t knock you down on price for minor damages to your scrap car, can remove your vehicle for free and help complete any paperwork for DVLA.

Better still, we work with reputable Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) that ensure that scrap cars from Oxford are de-polluted and scrapped by strict environmental guidelines.

So what are you waiting for? If your old set of wheels isn’t worth the time or money to drive through Oxford’s zero emission zone, then submit an enquiry to scrap your car with Scrap Local!

Question's On Oxford's Low Emission Zone
  • When does the Oxford ZEZ start?

    The Oxford Zero Emission Zone will be introduced in 2 phases.

    The first phase will start on the 28th February 2022 and vehicles will be charged based on the number of emissions they produce. This phase only covers areas in Oxford’s City Centre.

    The second phase may be launched as early as 2025. During this phase, the whole of Oxford will be covered by the ZEZ.

  • Where is the Oxford zero emission zone?

    The Oxford zero emission zone map as it currently stands covers key roads within the city centre.

    The majority of these roads are fully covered by the zero emission zone in Oxford, however New Road and Market Street are only partially covered.

    The zone will be expanded at a later date so it’s important to check Oxfordshire City Council’s website for up to date information on which roads the Oxford zero emission zone map will cover.

  • Which vehicles are exempt from Oxford's emission zone?

    Vehicles which produce zero emissions will be exempt from Oxford’s zero emission zone.

    Daily charges to drive through the zero emission zone also won’t apply to the following types of vehicle:

    • Registered local buses
    • Community transport vehicles
    • Emergency service vehicles
    • Military vehicles
    • Agricultural vehicles
    • Special vehicles
    • Hearses
    • Recovery vehicles
    • Oxford City Council licensed Hackney carriages
    • Older vehicles exempt from road tax

    This list of exempt vehicles could change upon the zone’s expansion. Due to this, Scrap Local recommends that you go to Oxfordshire City Council’s website for more information on which vehicles are exempt from the zero-emission zone.

  • Are there any discounts or exemptions from the zone?

    There will be exemptions and discounts in place for the road users listed below. However, these exemptions and discounts are only temporary and could change as Oxford’s zero emission zone expands:

    • Blue badge holders and vehicles under the disabled tax class
    • Vehicles used by health or care providers
    • Students arriving or leaving at the start and end of term
    • Residents in the pilot area
    • Private Hire Vehicles and Hackney carriages licensed outside of Oxford

    For more information on the current discounts and exemptions from the zero emission zone please see Oxfordshire City Council’s official website.

  • Is it a good idea to scrap my car in oxford?

    It’s a good idea to scrap your car in Oxford if it’s too costly to run in the new emission zone.

    The UK government have also announced that the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned by 2030. You can find out more about this in our news post.

    These changes will undoubtedly impact motorists across the country. Fortunately, Scrap Local’s here to help customers remove their old cars without any stress and for the best price!

    To scrap your car in Oxford and avoid daily charges from the new emission zone, submit an enquiry to Scrap Local’s trusted yards across Oxfordshire!

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