The automotive world is about to get a new player in the electric commercial vehicle segment with the introduction of the Kia PV5, a direct competitor to the VW ID. Buzz, Ford E-Transit, and Mercedes-Benz eSprinter. Built on Kia’s innovative PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) architecture, the PV5 promises unprecedented versatility and the possibility of unique configurations, including an electric camper van.
Kia, the South Korean automaker headquartered in Seoul, has a rich history. Originally known for bicycle manufacturing since 1944, the company expanded into motorcycles and then licensed car and truck production, until political issues in the early 80s halted the company’s production for a bit.
Today, Kia’s PBV division head, Sangdae Kim, confirmed Kia’s interest in the “camping car market” in an interview with Auto Express, which points to the potential for RV conversions on the new platform. Kia is actively considering two versions of the PV5 camper.
“We are considering introducing two different camping car versions. One would be a camper ‘lite’ version and the other one would be a more serious camping conversion.” – Sangdae Kim, Head of Kia PBV Division
While considering making its own electric camper, Kia isn’t ruling out partnerships with established camper outfitters. Pierre Martin-Bos, Kia Europe’s PBV director, highlighted the strong aftermarket camper van market, suggesting the company is evaluating all options. Martin-Bos also acknowledged that a larger percentage of campervans are equipped with diesel engines, which Kia intends to change.
A key consideration for the PV5 camper van is its battery range. The largest battery available at launch provides 71.2 kWh of capacity, which translates to approximately 249 miles based on European standards. While this exceeds the range of the ID. Buzz, the added weight from a camper conversion, particularly with a full-fledged motorhome setup, could significantly reduce range.
Kia is aware of this issue. In a separate interview with Auto Express, Spencher Cho, Kia’s head of business planning, mentioned that the range offered by the PBV architecture involves a “fine balance between the AER (all-electric range) and the price.” A larger battery could extend range, but at the cost of increasing the vehicle’s price. The PV5 camper van is slated to be released within 12 to 24 months, which may be a welcome alternative to the VW ID. Buzz California, which is facing delays until the end of this decade.
