City pioneers 'green' move

The hope is that other European cities will follow, creating a demand for low and zero emissions vehicles. Organisers believe that 100 cities would need to take part in order to send a message to vehicle manufacturers that demand will be great enough to justify mass production.

Rhonda Riachi, chairman of Oxford's Health and Environment Committee, said: 'ALTER (Alternative Traffic in Towns) is our chance to make not just a national impact, but an international one too. If we combine the expertise and resources of local government, manufacturers, national government and the European Parliament than we can really make changes.'