Kia’s Electric Van, the PV5, Surfaces in the US
Following teasers released last week, Kia’s electric van, the PV5, has been spotted undergoing testing in the United States for the first time.
The PV5 represents Kia’s initial foray into the dedicated electric van market and appears poised to challenge the Volkswagen ID.Buzz. Images and video footage offer a closer look at the upcoming electric van.
Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV)
The PV5 is part of Kia’s new Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) electric van lineup. The concept was unveiled alongside the smaller PV1 and the larger PV7 models at CES last January. Kia also presented it at its European debut at IAA Transportation in September.
Kia has described its PBV platform as a “‘game-changing” mobility solution, going “way beyond the traditional concept of a vehicle.” Designed for modularity, it can be adapted for diverse applications.
Configurations and Size
The mid-size PV5 is more than just an electric people mover; it’s designed to be adaptable. Kia plans to offer the PV5 in several configurations, including passenger and delivery van models. It will also be available with a Chassis Cab configuration, similar to a pickup truck bed.
While the PV5 was previously observed in South Korea during testing last year, its appearance in the US marks a significant milestone. The images and video, provided to Electrek by Alex Nguyen, show a camouflaged PV5 at an Indiana charging station.
Despite the disguise, the electric van appears larger than the Volkswagen ID.Buzz, potentially closer in size to the Ford E-Transit.
The US-spec ID.Buzz measures 195.4″ in length, 78.1″ in width, and 76.2″ in height. The E-Transit comes in at 237.6″ long, 81.3″ wide, and 83.9″ tall. The PV5 Cargo Compact concept, the most basic model, is 177.2″ long, 74.8″ wide, and 74.8″ tall.
Based on the seating arrangement, the van in the photographs seems to be a larger passenger model.
Kia’s EV Day
Kia previewed the PV5 last week with a series of teaser images ahead of its full reveal on February 27. During its second EV Day next week, the EV5 will be showcased with the EV4 and EV2. Further details on Kia’s PBV strategy will be released, including the lineup and the PV5 launch date.
