Morris Commercial unveils electric re-imagining of iconic J-Type

Morris Commercial, the maker of the classic and iconic 1950s Morris J-type commercial van, has returned to the stage with its re-imagined, all-new, all-electric Morris JE van.

After years off the stage, Morris Commercial announced in 2017 plans to resurrect its brand in an all-new electric light commercial vehicle with a real-world range of 120 miles (193 kilometres) and a top speed of around 90 mph (144 kph).

The company further teased the revived J-Type back in October and last week the company debuted the Morris JE van at an event at The Design Museum in London.

Fully designed and engineered in Britain, the new battery electric vehicle (BEV) light commercial vehicle is designed to reinvigorate the “timeless and quintessentially British design classic” and allow it to make a splash in the current sustainable automotive environment.

However, don’t expect this to run cheap, with models expected to go on sale in late-2021 at around £60,000 (AU$114,000).

“It is a delight to unveil the new Morris JE to the world and for us to show what we have been working so hard to achieve,” said Dr Qu Li, the CEO and Founder of Morris Commercial.

“From the outset, our vision was to bring a new concept to the LCV market, not just in terms of the battery electric powertrain, but also to introduce a timeless design that takes the aesthetics and appeal of such a vehicle to a whole new level.

“What we have created is a beautiful, retro design that sits upon a cutting-edge, modular BEV platform, delivering practicality and functionality to compete with the best in its segment.”

The Morris JE van will boast a “state-of-the-art” lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery powertrain and a modular chassis with a carbon-fibre body construction.

The battery is fully electric and UK-sourced, while the company claims its lightweight and modular chassis makes it highly adaptable for future derivatives – such as a pickup truck, minibus, or camper van.

Morris Commercial boasts that the Morris JE will be one of the lightest LCVs on the market, with a power-to-weight efficiency that allows the vehicle’s electric range to extend to 200 miles (321 kilometres).

With a 1 tonne (1000 kg) payload with a 5.5 m³ carrying capacity the Morris JE will accommodate two standard Euro pallets, accessible via full width rear doors and a sliding side door on the nearside of the vehicle.

The company describes the vehicle as “a unique proposition” and explain “Its technically advanced engineering and highly distinctive styling take the original, iconic Morris J-type van as its inspiration.”