A CLASSIC remake of a 1950s British car with an electric twist is set to go into production by a Worcestershire car company next year.

Morris Commercial, based in Hinton-on-the-Green near Evesham, is hoping to starting production on an all-electric reimagining of a British icon by the middle of 2025.

The car in question is the Morris J-Type, which the company hopes to unveil an electric version of called the Morris JE.

It will be a 21st Century remake of a vehicle that was prominent on Britain's roads through the 1950s and early 1960s.

Wychavon District Council has backed the business with a grant of just over £11,000 to update its prototype manufacturing workshops.

Councillors and officers from Wychavon recently visited the Morris Commercial to get an update on the latest plans.

Cllr Richard Morris, Executive Board Member for Economic Growth and Tourism on Wychavon District Council, said: “The owner and staff at Morris Commercial have a real passion for what they do and it is fantastic that we have been able to support them, even in a small way, to make their vision a reality.

“I hope in the near future we will see high streets across the UK once again filled with this iconic van and it will be a source of pride to know that it was an idea born and developed in Wychavon.”

Development of the Morris JE began in 2017 with an ambition to create an electric van with an iconic design that was also functional and sustainable. 

The design retains classic features from the original J-Type, but with its outer body partly made from recycled materials and a lithium battery powertrain, it has been given the all-electric makeover.

Two prototypes have been produced, which have been used to travel the UK on the BBC’s Road to Recovery series.

There is already high demand for the new vehicle with thousands of pre-orders coming in from across the globe.

The company is now looking to secure premises to begin production of the JE.

Julian Bremner-Smith, Marketing Manager for Morris Commercial, said: “Welcoming councillors and officers from Wychavon to Morris recently was a pleasure.

"Showcasing the project progress we are making, how their support is helping, and raising awareness of the beautiful and capable all-electric Morris JE across the region, was an opportunity not to be missed."