World’s-first petrol and diesel ban to help combat Oxford “public health emergency” from 2020

A proposal from the Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council would ban most internal-combustion vehicles from certain areas of the city centre in 2020, ahead of a total city-wide ban in 2035.

The world-first proposal was created because, according to the city council, the Oxford city centre has illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the air. In 2015, the council says levels were at 152.5 per cent of the legal maximum for NO2.

The council says banning petrol and diesel cars from certain parts of the city would help bring NO2 levels back below the legal limit, before a complete ban helps drop them by another 60 per cent in 2035.

"Toxic and illegal air pollution in the city centre is damaging the health of Oxford’s residents. A step change is urgently needed; the Zero Emission Zone is that step change," said Councillor John Tanner, Oxford City Council executive board member for 'A Clean and Green Oxford'.

"All of us who drive or use petrol or diesel vehicles through Oxford are contributing to the city’s toxic air. Everyone needs to do their bit – from national Government and local authorities, to businesses and residents – to end this public health emergency."

Oxford is planning to roll the ban out in stages. The 2020 ruling would see all petrol and diesel cars, taxis, light commercial vehicles and buses banned from a small area of downtown. Oxford's ‘exclusion zone’ would expand in 2025 and again in 2030, ahead of a ban on all petrol and diesel vehicles – including commercial and delivery vehicles – in 2035.

The council has won £500,000 ($847,600) in Government funding to install charge points for electric taxis, and another £800,000 ($1,350,000) to supply 100 charge points for residents ahead of the proposed Zero Emission Zone.

Britain's Government is planning to ban the sale of internal combustion-powered vehicles in 2040.

Members of the public have from October 16 to November 26 to provide feedback on the plans in Oxford.

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