Oxford Zero Emission Zone charges
Every petrol, diesel and hybrid car pays £2 to £10 a day on the ZEZ streets. Only zero-emission vehicles go free.
Oxford's zone is different from every other UK scheme: it is a Zero Emission Zone, so the usual petrol and diesel Euro standards don't earn a free pass. Only fully electric vehicles enter free.
The Oxford zone at a glance
The scheme, the area and the money, verified against the official sources.
| Scheme | Oxford Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) pilot |
| Type | Council scheme (not a national CAZ class) |
| Private cars charged? | Yes |
| Hours | 7am to 7pm, seven days a week |
| Area | Nine streets in the city centre, around Cornmarket Street, Queen Street and New Road. |
| How to pay | Via Oxfordshire County Council, up to 6 days before or after driving. |
| Penalty | £60, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days |
Who pays what in Oxford
| Vehicle | Charge |
|---|---|
| Zero-emission vehicles | Free |
| Ultra-low emission vehicles | £2 a day |
| Low emission vehicles | £4 a day |
| All other vehicles | £10 a day |
Exemptions and discounts
- Fully electric vehicles (they pay nothing)
- Residents inside the zone (90% discount)
- Blue Badge holders and some business discounts
A planned doubling of the charges for August 2025 was cancelled, so the £2/£4/£10 rates stay for now. A wider zone remains under review.
Separately, Oxford introduced a temporary £5-a-day congestion charge for cars at six points around the city in October 2025. That is a different scheme with its own signs and penalties.
Official source: Oxfordshire County Council ZEZ pages. Zone rules change when authorities vote, so check before a journey that matters.
Figures last checked against the official source on . Check the source yourself.
Oxford zone: common questions
Is my car compliant in Oxford?
Oxford's Zero Emission Zone doesn't use the usual Euro standards: only fully zero-emission vehicles enter free, and every petrol, diesel or hybrid car pays a banded daily charge on the zone's streets.
Do cars pay to drive in Oxford?
Every petrol, diesel and hybrid car pays £2 to £10 a day on the ZEZ streets. Only zero-emission vehicles go free. The charge applies 7am to 7pm on the zone's streets.
Where does the Oxford Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) pilot cover?
Nine streets in the city centre, around Cornmarket Street, Queen Street and New Road. It operates 7am to 7pm, seven days a week.
What happens if the rules are broken?
The penalty is £60, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days. Cameras read every plate entering the zone, so an unpaid charge turns into a penalty automatically.
Other UK zones
Every city has its own rules; check before you travel.
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