Morris Commercial secures funding for launch of EV retro van
UK start-up Morris Commercial has joined the race started by Volkswagen's ID Buzz to bring cute retro cargo vans to market.
The firm plans to revive the iconic 1950s Morris J-Type van. With a "significant funding round" completed, Morris Commercial – which outlined its intentions in 2019 – says it should have cargo vans on the road by next year.
With its aluminium chassis, carbon fibre body the van has a payload capacity of one ton, carrying space of 6.5 cubic metres, and a driving range of 250 miles.
The vehicle is also packed with safety, technology and comfort features such as side and rear vision cameras, infotainment system and a beautifully crafted interior.
With the new funding round, the Morris JE will now be subject to further R&D, engineering validation, certification, and productionisation.
The firm is based at Hinton-On-The-Green in Worcestershire, not far from the original Cowley, Oxford manufacturing base of its spiritual predecessor – the Morris J-type, which was launched in 1948 and enjoyed initial global success and several model variants until the Morris factory – by then part of British Leyland – was closed in 1971.
