Published: Thursday, 16 December 2021

Oxford’s Covered Market, Pedal & Post, and Oxford City Council, have joined forces to make zero emission deliveries to local customers across Oxford this winter.

The partnership will involve using a fully trained Pedal and Post rider who will make deliveries for Covered Market traders on the EAV electric cargo bikes. The partnership will allow all Covered Market traders to make same day and next day zero emission deliveries and will offer practical support to traders as they transition their deliveries to zero emission vehicles.

The trial, which has been running since June, allows Covered Market traders to make zero emission deliveries using electric bikes which also have refrigerated and freezer capability. The new addition of Pedal & Post providing a dedicated market delivery rider has enabled the trial service to be available to all traders in the market.

This means customers are able to directly contact their favourite Covered Market traders to order fresh produce, speciality foods, gifts and much more.

This service is in addition to market traders who already operate their own deliveries

The electric cargo bikes have been designed, produced, and delivered by Electric Assisted Vehicles Limited (EAV), based in Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire.

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 e-cargo bikes will be charged inside the Covered Market using a regular plug socket, and can reach a full charge in 4-5 hours.

The trial and the partnership is part of almost £200,000 of Government funding to help Covered Market traders to prepare for the introduction of the Zero Emission Zone. 

Preparing for Oxford’s Zero Emission Zone

With the transport sector being the largest contributor of NOX emissions in the city, accounting for 68% emissions, Oxford is preparing to launch Britain’s first Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) Pilot in city centre streets in February 2022.

The Zero Emission Zone 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.

Zero emissions vehicles such as electric cars can be used in the zone free of charge. All petrol and diesel vehicles, including hybrids, will incur a daily ZEZ charge of up to £10 unless they have a discount or exemption.

A range of exemptions and discounts are available for businesses and residents in the zone. Registration is now open on the Oxfordshire County Council ZEZ pages.

Comment

“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.”

Councillor Tom Hayes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon Oxford, Oxford City Council

“This is a really exciting partnership between us at Pedal & Post, Oxford City Council and The Covered Market and its traders. The collaboration will see us provide a fully trained rider to use the EAV cargo bikes between 9am-5pm initially and provide same day and next day deliveries for all the market traders

“This combines the best of both worlds, buying local with the convenience of online ordering and being covid 19 safe in the run up to Christmas!

“We can't wait to get this rolling as we see a huge potential to scale this project up to include as many local business's as possible and begin to offer a whole host of goodies to Oxford residents and beyond! Think of it as the local alternative to amazon this year”

Chris Benton, Managing Director of Pedal & Post

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