Oxford City Council has invested in an eco-friendly, electric van that will provide key support to community groups that are delivering essential food and supplies to Oxford families in need.
With Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council set to launch the UK’s first Zero Emission Zone this August, the van will allow community groups to make zero-emission journeys across the city.
Hiring the electric van
The electric van can be hired by community groups for just £24 a day to cover the running and maintenance of the vehicle.
Up to eleven volunteer drivers can be covered under the vehicle’s insurance, allowing the Council to offer free insurance cover to nominated drivers from the community groups.
The City Council will also provide training for each volunteer driver before signing community groups up to the service.
The van has been wrapped in an eye-catching custom design provided for free by the local fleet graphic’s company Adept Graphics. The van’s design displays the Oxford City Council logo along with contact details to allow local community groups to easily enquire about the new service.
The electric van will be kept at Rose Hill Community Centre and will be charged using one of the centre’s charging ports.
Supporting our community groups
Many organisations in Oxford provide free or low-cost ways for residents to supplement their weekly grocery shop. This includes groups such as Oxford Community Action, Oxford Mutual Aid, and SYRCOX.
The use of the electric van will enable these groups to organise their collections and deliveries independently. It will also remove the need for volunteers to use their cars and will lead to quicker, more efficient deliveries.
With the Zero Emission Zone set to begin this summer, the electric van will also ensure that community organisations have access across the whole city. This includes businesses within the proposed emission red zones.
Community groups interested in booking the van can send an email to communityvan@oxford.gov.uk.
“It is important that we empower our local community organisations to run their own projects. The Council’s investment in the new, eco-friendly electric van will allow our community groups to work independently and effectively.
“Food collection and delivery is a key service for our residents in need. With access to the new van, Oxford’s community groups will be better equipped to support these residents.”
Councillor Shaista Aziz, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Communities at Oxford City Council
“This new electric van will provide our community groups with a lasting eco-friendly way of supporting Oxford residents. Going 175 miles fully charged, our new Peugeot electric van will be able to clean our air, encourage zero-carbon communities, and strengthen the amazing community action underway to support people in need."
Councillor Tom Hayes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon Oxford at Oxford City Council
“The new electric van has been a game-changer for our organisation. We can now work independently and more efficiently to deliver food and other goods to our residents in need. Not only that, but we can now support our community in a green and eco-friendly way.”
Hassan Sabrie, Co-director of Oxford Community Action
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