Introducing the 2025 Kia PV5 Electric Commercial Vehicle
The PV5 is slated for initial release in European and Korean markets, offering diverse body styles, including a specialized wheelchair-accessible variant.
Kia’s ambition to compete in the electric commercial vehicle sector was previewed at CES 2024 with three van concepts, from the compact PV1 to the spacious PV7. The mid-size PV5’s production-ready design was unveiled, and now, detailed specifications have been shared. This new van boasts multiple body styles, a range nearing 250 miles, and a versatile interior.
Worth A Look
The Platform Beyond Vehicle: Kia’s New Approach
The PV5 is the inaugural production model in Kia’s new PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) lineup, built on the innovative E-GMP.S platform—an adaptation of Hyundai-Kia’s adaptable battery architecture. This E-GMP.S platform prioritizes flexibility, enabling Kia to fit various bodies on a unified base. Kia likens its “Flexible Body System” to assembling a puzzle, emphasizing the PV5’s adaptability to numerous applications.
Kia will offer the PV5 in three primary configurations: passenger, cargo, and chassis cab. The passenger version features a roomy interior with adaptable seating arrangements, making it ideal for ride-hailing services. Kia collaborated with Uber during development, ensuring its suitability for both commercial and personal use.
PV5 Cargo and Chassis Cab Variants
The PV5 cargo model will be available in standard, long, and high-roof options, with the high-roof variant also offering a walk-through configuration for enhanced accessibility. The PV5 measures 184.8 inches in length, slightly exceeding compact vans like the Ford Transit Connect. Its cargo capacity exceeds 180 cubic feet, accommodating two Euro-sized pallets. The PV5 also supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, enabling tool power directly from the cargo area.
The PV5 chassis cab is offered as an adaptable, unfinished vehicle suitable for diverse applications. It combines the PV5 cargo’s front with a flat section, incorporating side-collision protection for the battery and mounting points for various setups like standard box vans or freezer boxes. Future additions include the PV5 crew (combining seating and cargo) and the PV5 WAV (wheelchair-accessible model), with a camper version also planned.
The PV5 WAV features a side opening for easy wheelchair access via a ramp supporting up to 661 pounds. It includes a user-friendly wheelchair belt system and third-row tip-up seats to accommodate passengers alongside wheelchair users.
Battery Options and Performance
The PV5 offers three battery options. Most models feature either a 51.5-kWh or a 71.2-kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery. The PV5 cargo variant also offers a 43.3-kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery. All configurations use a single front-mounted electric motor producing 161 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.
Kia estimates the PV5’s maximum range at approximately 248 miles with the 71.2-kWh battery in the passenger configuration, based on the WLTP test cycle. Charging from 10 to 80 percent is estimated to take as little as 30 minutes, though specifics vary by battery type.
The interior features a modern design with color options like Deep Navy, Terracotta Brown, and Iceberg Green. Kia emphasizes the use of durable, easy-to-clean, sustainable materials. The driver zone includes a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.9-inch infotainment screen powered by Android Automotive. Kia is also introducing “Kia AddGear,” a range of modular accessories to enhance cabin versatility.
The PV5 will be manufactured at the new EVO Plant in South Korea, with sales starting in South Korea and Europe in the second half of 2025, followed by other markets in 2026. There are currently no plans to introduce the PV5 to the United States.
