Kia’s PV5 Electric Van: A Glimpse into the Future
Kia has just pulled the wraps off its highly anticipated PV5 electric van, giving the public its first glimpse of the futuristic model. The mid-size vehicle is the initial offering in Kia’s upcoming series of Purpose-Built Vehicles, expected to make a significant impact on the expanding electric van market.
From early impressions, the PV5 looks poised to compete with established rivals like the Volkswagen ID.Buzz and the Ford E-Transit. The PV5’s design showcases Kia’s dedication to innovation and its vision for the future of commercial vehicles.
We first got a hint of the PV5 concept at last year’s CES, following Kia’s introduction of its “game-changing” Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) platform. The PV5 was presented alongside the larger PV7 and the smaller PV1 models, highlighting the versatility of Kia’s new platform. Notably, the PV5, unlike Ford’s E-Transit, is built on a dedicated EV (PBV) platform. This flexible, modular design is fundamental to Kia’s strategy to seize a leadership role in the electric van sector.
After offering a preview of the production model last week, Kia officially released the exterior design on Thursday. The PV5 will be available in several configurations, including Passenger and Cargo models, catering to a wide range of business and personal needs.
Kia announced that more details will be revealed during their upcoming EV Day on February 24th. The PV5, like Kia’s other recent EV models, boasts a bold and forward-thinking design. In Kia’s own words, the van’s “contemporary design transcends traditional light commercial vehicles.”
The Passenger model features expansive windows extending across its entire length, enhancing its modern look and improving visibility for drivers. The vehicle’s appearance is further enhanced by black geometric wheel arch claddings and rocker panels, giving the PV5 a slightly rugged, off-road aesthetic, and “confidently linking the high-tech upper cabin with the more rugged and purposeful lower body.”
The Cargo model shares a similar design theme, but its boxy form maximizes interior space, making it ideal for delivery services and a variety of other commercial applications.
Kia has included twin side-opening tailgate doors on the Cargo model, which will simplify both loading and unloading. Next week, Kia plans to provide additional information, including detailed powertrain specifications and seating arrangements, at its EV Day. The event is set to take place in Tarragona, Spain, on February 24th, with official details released on February 27th.
At the EV Day, Kia will also present the EV4 electric sedan and hatchback models, along with a smaller, more affordable EV2 concept. The PV5 was observed undergoing road testing in the US this week—an indication of its impending release, which has generated much anticipation in the automotive world.
The upcoming event holds significant importance for Kia. With the electric vehicle market continuing to grow, the PV5’s debut is a strategic move to enter the commercial market.
Kia’s PV5 Cargo Compact concept, the most basic model, is 177.2″ long, 74.8″ wide, and 74.8″ tall. However, that’s the “Compact” model. The regular Passenger and Cargo variants will be bigger. To give you a comparison, the US-spec ID.Buzz (LWB) is 195.4″ long, 78.1″ wide, and 76.2″ tall, while Ford’s E-Transit is 237.6″ long, 81.3″ wide, and 83.9″ tall.
