Oxford’s Covered Market, Pedal & Post, and Oxford City Council, have partnered to make zero-emission deliveries to customers across the city this winter.
The partnership will see a Pedal & Post riders make deliveries for Covered Market traders on EAV e-cargo bikes, which have refrigeration and freezer capability, allowing all Covered Market traders to make same-day and next-day zero-emission deliveries.
Each bike has between 30-60 miles of range, can travel up to 15.5 miles per hour, and can carry up to 150kg in weight. The vehicles will be charged inside the Covered Market using a regular plug socket, and can reach a full charge in four-to-five hours.
The trial and the partnership is part of almost £200,000 of UK government funding to help Covered Market traders to prepare for the introduction of Oxford’s Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) pilot in February 2022.
The ZEZ pilot will restrict polluting vehicles from key city centre streets during the day. Those who drive polluting vehicles into the zone will be charged, with the level of the charge dependent on how polluting the vehicle is.
Fully-electric cars can be used in the zone free of charge but all petrol and diesel vehicles, including hybrids, will incur a daily ZEZ charge of up to £10 unless they have a discount or exemption.
Councillor Tom Hayes, deputy leader and cabinet member for green transport, Oxford City Council, said: “I’m delighted that Pedal & Post will be providing a rider for our electric cargo bike trial to help Covered Market traders make zero emission deliveries.
As Oxford prepares to become Britain’s first Zero Emission Zone, our historic city and treasured market is embracing a zero emissions future.”
