Oxford extends Voi e-scooter trial

Oxford has extended Voi’s zero emission e-scooter trial for another eight months. 

Yesterday, Oxfordshire County Council made the announcement that they were extending the trial for a second time, which means that residents and visitors in Oxford will be able to hire the scooters until November 2022.

Micro-mobility operator Voi began their collaboration with Oxfordshire County Council in February 2021 after they were granted a licence to operate by the Department of Transport.

So far, 656 e-scooters have been made available for hire in Oxford - they have all completed 210,000 journeys and travelled more than 310,000 miles. 

The trips made on the e-scooters are reported to have saved approximately 130 tonnes of carbon emissions, according to technology company Voi’s estimates.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Environment and Place, Bill Cotton, commented: “We are encouraged to see the number of people in Oxford who have embraced the e-scooters as a way to get around the city. They are providing a genuinely sustainable means of getting from A to B while helping reduce traffic congestion.

Monitoring data from Voi shows that the vast majority of riders have been using the e-scooters responsibly and considerately of others. With the extension of the trial, residents can continue to benefit from a convenient, green and low-cost mode of travel."

The extension of the trial will allow further integration of e-scooters in the city and increase the chances of legalising e-scooters in future.

General Manager at Voi UK and Ireland, Jack Samler, said: “We are delighted Oxfordshire County Council has supported our presence in this prestigious city by extending our trial until November 2022.

“Over the next eight months, we will continue to offer a safe, convenient and sustainable mode of transport while offering residents and visitors a fun way to commute or visit the city.

“The county council has been an exemplary leader in promoting low carbon transport, as can be seen not only by embracing e-scooters but also by the introduction of its zero emission zone.

“This extension is invaluable and strengthens an already proactive collaboration. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our riders and are delighted to be continuing our Oxford Voi-age.”