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Clean Air Zone - charging or banOxford

Oxford Car Ban review

David Nicholson
8th March 2022
2 min read

 

In October 2017, the city of Oxford annouced its plans to improve air quality by curbing pollution from road traffic. The Oxford plan is different from any such plan elsewhere though:

  • the very small 2020 zone is expanded in 2025 and then again in 2030 to cover most of central Oxford
  • it bans diesel vehicles starting from 2020, sooner than any ban in the world (that wasn’t required by a court decision)
  • it bans petrol vehicles too
  • it bans all non-zero emission taxis, cars, light commercial vehicles and buses
  • Only HGVs are exempt – until 2035

So why has Oxford gone for the earliest fullest vehicle ban in the world?

The aim of this plan probably goes well beyond improving air quality. The fact is the beautiful centre of Oxford is plagued by traffic that gets in the way of students, locals and tourists who travel on foot and by bicycle. So while air quality is a driver for action being able to exclude over 99% of UK traffic is a bonus. Becoming a test early test bed for electrified traffic research wont do Oxford any harm either.

Score

  • Reducing traffic pollution 10/10
  • Sending a clear message that more polluting vehicles have no future 10/10
  • A plan for other cities to adopt 3/10
  • Targeting only more polluting vehicles only 0/10

 

Verdict

If the broader aim is to cut air pollution and transform the centre of Oxford then the plan should be very effective. In air quality terms alone it is a classic “sledge hammer to crack a nut” with no targetting at all. It could inspire cities that have relatively small zones where cars are more of a hindrance to pedestrians and cyclists than a benefit to follow suit. Bath? Part of the city of London financial district?

 

 

David Nicholson

I set up MyUrbanCar to provide advice about switching from fuel burning v to clean electric power especially in transport especially electric vehicles. I also use an air source heat pump which has also cut out fuel burning at home.

I spend a lot of time researching and absorbing information from a wide range of respected sources on issues like climate change, air pollution, battery technology and developments in electric vehicles from road to rail air and water.

MyUrbanCar now provides regularly updated guides on electric cars and UK EV charging so that more people can make good choices at the right price while avoiding a few lemons.

I have also had plenty of hands on myth busting experience. I have owned 3 EV's and tested them on many gruelling long distance EV road trips of up to 700 miles per day in the UK and Europe. These are often combined with my passion for hikes and exploring landscapes around the UK. At home I have had an air source heat pump since 2021.

I have worked as an underwriter at Lloyd's of London since the 1980's. My interest in technology goes back many years including interactive mapping, apps, green tech, boats, solar and cars.

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