Kia is making a bold move into Europe’s light commercial vehicle market with its new range of electric vans. The South Korean automaker showcased its PV5 and PV7 concepts at the 2024 IAA Transportation trade fair in Germany, signaling its intent to capture a significant share of this growing sector.
These electric vans, part of Kia’s Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) approach, incorporate both vehicles and fleet management software, developed in collaboration with telematics specialist Geotab. Kia plans to begin sales of the PV5 in the summer of 2025. The company is aiming to leverage its success in consumer EVs to make a mark on the commercial world.
Several concept models were displayed in Hanover, including the PV5 concept, PV5 People Mover concept, and PV5 High Roof concept, alongside the larger PV7 concept. All models preview the upcoming electric vans.
“As Kia PBVs will be the most technologically advanced [light commercial vehicles] available, we want to enhance every aspect of the customer experience through advanced connectivity,” said Marc Hedrich, President of Kia in Europe. “This extends to having flexible data solutions that enable easy integration in multi-brand fleets without the need for additional hardware.”
The PV5, slated as the first to debut, is approximately the same size as the Ford E-Transit Custom or the Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo and has already been spotted undergoing testing in Europe. Technical specifications remain limited, but it’s expected to be available with either single- or dual-motor powertrains.
Beyond performance, Kia is emphasizing innovative technology. All new electric vans will feature bidirectional charging and DC fast charging capabilities of up to 150 kilowatts. This allows charging from 10 to 80% in just 30 minutes. Onboard chargers will allow rapid AC charging at up to 22 kW. These vans will also benefit from Kia’s standard seven-year or 150,000 km warranty.
These electric vans are built on a dedicated EV architecture specifically designed for commercial vehicles. According to the announced charging speed, the platform will operate on 400 volts. The vans are designed to maximize cargo space and will be offered in various configurations. These include specialized versions, such as a refrigerated van developed with the Petit Forestier Group, and specific models for parcel delivery.
“While this approach is not a first for electric passenger cars, it’s certainly the first time we see it for LCV. This is a benchmark moment, and our PBVs are set to deliver better accessibility, higher volumes, and lower running costs, to completely change logistics and mobility,” explained Marc Hedrich regarding the dedicated platform.
