Zero emissions zone pilot set to net councils £1.8m

The zero emission zone (ZEZ) pilot was launched in Oxford in 2022

Two councils expect to make £1.8m from Oxford's Zero Emissions Zone (ZEZ) by the time a pilot scheme ends in 2026.

Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council have operated the ZEZ since February 2022.

The project involves charging non-electric vehicles' drivers with the aim of improving air quality.

The pilot covers nine streets but the final rollout - expected to take place during the 2026/2027 financial year - will involve most of the city centre.

All of the income generated by the ZEZ must be spent on local transport or local planning matters.

By September 2022, the BBC reported it had generated nearly £120,000 in fines.

At the time, the county council said the "ultimate aim" of the ZEZ would be for it to make no money "as this [would] mean all vehicles entering the [area] are zero emission".

Council papers show it raised nearly £703,000 between April 2022 and March 2023.

Judy Roberts, the county council's cabinet member for infrastructure and development, will be asked to approve a plan for officers to complete an income sharing agreement with the city council on Thursday.