The cockpit The dashThe cargo holdBatteries in - under folding seatControl Box
OwnerJames
LocationSydney, New South Wales Australia map
WebWebPage
Vehicle1966 Morris J2 - 152 Omnivan
A mint-condition town van with 15cwt
(750kg) carry capacity and low ratio
gears.
MotorKostov R20 11inch Series Wound DC
running at 144v in direct drive
Drivetrainrear wheel drive, originally powered by a
1.6litre B-Series 4cyl, 66bhp at 4300rpm,
with max torque 122Nm at 2200rpm.
Top speed 50mph.
ControllerZeva MC600S
600A peak (200amps rated) at 144v for an
absolute peak of 86kw
Batteries45 CALB/Skyenergy 180AHA, 3.20 Volt, Lithium Iron Phosphate
total pack = 25.92kwh
System Voltage144 Volts
ChargerElcon
(something that works well with a solid
and reliable LiFePo B.M.S.)
HeaterNone.
DC/DC ConverterIota
currently using a 12v deep cycle PbAcid
battery
InstrumentationTBS E-Xpert Pro with 5:1 voltage pre-
scaler to handle the 144v
Top Speed60 MPH (96 KPH)
Predicted based on motor rpm data and diff
ratio.
Motor is rated to 5300rpm but I haven't
taken it that high yet!
Accelerationbetter than original, but it's never
going to smoke off anyone at the lights.
I'm still in test phase.
From a standstill it's ok, but from
20kph+ it's really gutsy, MUCH
more power than the original.
Range80 Miles (128 Kilometers)
based on my tests to date, I used 23% of
the pack for 22miles
EV Miles
Start:40,011 Miles (64,377 Kilometers)
Current:48,457 Miles (77,967 Kilometers)
Total:8,446 Miles (13,589 Kilometers)
 
    As of 3/1/2020
Seating Capacity5 adults
Curb Weight3,344 Pounds (1,519 Kilograms)
1520kg
TiresNankang light commercial
Conversion Time12 months part time
Additional Features(to be updated as the build happens)
UPDATE July 2019 - This Van is for sale!

I'm under tremendous pressure to keep it original, since
it's in such good condition.

My opinion is that the van was built to be driven. They
built around 160,000 of these between 1956 and 1967, and
they were used for a wide variety of purposes, including
police, ambulance, postal and delivery services and yet
there aren't many left on the roads. Why?
Because they are so difficult to maintain and keep
roadworthy. Because they are loud and hot in the cabin,
and because they aren't able to keep up with modern
highway traffic.

As an EV, the van is driven daily, is quiet and
cool, and the ongoing maintenance costs aren't so
prohibitive that it becomes unmanageable.

edit (9th Nov 2010) : Decided to change the motor and
controller to a Kostov 11inch with Zeva 600MS DC
controller, for more torque and higher rated power. I'm
also going to make the van direct-drive so have removed
the gearbox as well.

For those in horror, I have dry-stored the ICE
components for the next owner, should they want to
restore it back to its noisy, hot and slow former self.

code by jerry