Morris Commercial revives iconic 1950s van with new electric model built in Wales

A beloved piece of British motoring history is making a comeback as Morris Commercial revives its 1950s J-Type van in an all-electric form. The new model, called the Morris JE, will be manufactured at Bro Tathan in St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. Backed by support from the Welsh Government’s Economy Futures Funding, the project will establish Wales’ first dedicated electric vehicle production facility and create around 150 highly skilled jobs. The modernized JE retains notable design features from the original, such as its signature pear-shaped grille, but incorporates a carbon-neutral drivetrain, an aluminum chassis, and a carbon-fibre body made partly from recycled materials. The van is expected to have a range of approximately 250 miles (400 km) per charge. Welsh Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Evans described the project as an example of Wales’ growing strength in the low-carbon automotive industry, highlighting that it aligns with national efforts to foster innovation and sustainable manufacturing. Morris Commercial’s CEO, Dr. Qu Li, said the new facility would finally allow production to meet the expectations of customers who have waited for the vehicle’s return. The reimagined electric van is expected to officially launch in late 2026, marking both an environmental step forward and a nostalgic nod to British road heritage.