Morris JE in Winter Testing

To offer a lot of space and a real 1000-kilogram payload with a total weight of 2.5 tons – that is the challenge of the future electric Morris-JE-Van. And to ensure that the manufacturing process is as CO2-neutral as possible, as many installed materials as possible should be recycled. To achieve this weight, the body is made of expensive carbon fiber, which ideally is obtained from recycled material.

As advantages, Morris cites that besides the lower ecological footprint and the lighter weight, there will be no rust on the body. About this, Morris writes: “Van owners know the curse of rust, especially in the British climate. No rust and no corrosion mean better durability and better residual times. The all-electric JE with RCF body is therefore a smart investment.”

In the meantime, the second prototype, closer to production, is starting winter tests, for which favorable, unusually low temperatures with sub-zero degrees prevail on the island. After initial skepticism about starting tests under such wintry conditions, the team took the plunge into the cold water on the notorious Fish Hill, where it blows even colder. The subsequent performance dispelled all doubts, and on its first dynamic test run, the new Morris JE showed an "exceptionally good performance" according to the testers. The happy and cheerful team returned, although cold and tired! Which means that the British can venture into even colder and icier territories.

What does that mean?

Morris Commercial continues to diligently test the everyday usability of the JE Van. It will be interesting to see if the financing in the background brings the retro carbon fiber van into series production – which would have delighted Sir William Morris, who passed away 60 years ago.