This is Kia's PV5 fully electric commercial van, and it was unveiled at the recently wrapped CVShow.

Look, you know when something gets unveiled at a trade show and the room just ... stops? That was Kia’s PV5 at the recent 2025 CV Show. One moment we’re chatting about motors and mud, the next we’re pulled over by this slick, fully electric small van that’s been crafted on Kia’s new Platform Beyond Vehicle (PVB) architecture.

 

This isn’t just another electric van—it’s Kia staking a serious claim in a market ruled by Ford Transit, Mercedes Benz Sprinter, and VW Transporter. And while the PV5 slots into the small van category, it’s packing enough innovation, good looks, and real world practicality to make business buyers sit up and take notice.

 

In the UK, the PV5 line up kicks off with the L2/H1 Cargo, priced at £27,645 + VAT—before incentives. Thanks to qualifying for the Plug In Van Grant, buyers can slash £5,000 off that. Snap on Kia’s seven year warranty, attractive finance deals, and suddenly this mini van rival looks like more than just a cute contender—it’s shaping up to be a game changer.

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What Makes the PV5 Stand Out?

1. Built on Kia’s New PVB Platform

Kia’s "Platform Beyond Vehicle" isn’t just a fancy name—it’s their blueprint for future mobility. PVB underpins everything from EV sport utilities to commercial haulers. It’s designed for flexibility, efficiency, and future proofing.

For the PV5, that means:

• A flat battery pack beneath the floor for optimal cargo space.

• Lightweight structure with rigid chassis, keeping performance nimble and safe.

• Modular e architecture paving the way for rapid version roll outs and upgrades.

This isn’t a car based van converted to electric—the PV5 is built from the ground up as a modern EV tool box.

2. Stylish Yet Functional Design

At first glance, you’re thinking: “Nice van.” But it’s the details that seal the deal:

• Bold “tiger face” front fascia, with modern LED light signatures.

• Smooth contours that are both aerodynamic and tough looking.

• Sliding side door, tall rear doors, and van specific roof geometry give it real versatility.

• Peugeot-level style, mixed with Kia’s sporty DNA—it’s certainly an improvement over beige workhorses of old.

3. A Real Cargo Alternative

Who says small vans can’t do big jobs? The L2/H1 layout delivers:

• Up to 4.4 cubic metres of load volume.

• Up to 790 kg payload in standard range form (and 690 kg in long range).

That’s more than capable of handling trades, deliveries, or even light duty fleet tasks.

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Powertrain Options: Choose Your Range

Kia’s given the PV5 two electric options depending on your needs:

🔋 Standard Range Version

• 51.5 kWh battery

• 89 kW motor (front drive)

• WLTP range: around 181 miles

• Great for urban delivery routes or daily fleet use.

🔋 Long Range Version

• 71.2 kWh battery

• 120 kW motor

• WLTP range: up to 247 miles

• Ideal for longer routes, more trips, or managers who swap between city drive and countryside callouts.

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Charging Speed– Or Making Coffee While You Wait 🍵

Charging times matter—big time—when you’re on the clock. Kia’s PVB platform delivers serious charge capability:

🔌 Rapid DC Charging (up to 150 kW):

• 10–80% in under 30 minutes for both models.

• That’s enough juice for most days in half a lunch break.

🔌 AC Charging Options:

• 11 kW Type 2: full charge in 5–7 hours.

• 7 kW Type 2: full charge in 7–10 hours.

Work horse ready? Absolutely—overnight or in depot charging gets the job done while the team’s clock off.

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Pricing & Finance: A Tough Contender

📊 Base Pricing:

• L2/H1 Cargo Standard Range: £27,645 + VAT

o After Plug In Van Grant: £22,645* + VAT

• Long Range Version: estimated around £30,000+VAT

Oh, and don’t forget Kia's 7 year/100,000 mile warranty, plus those fleet finance packages that come with low rate options and flexible term structures.

The PV5’s mission: offer affordability without cutting corners.

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Payload & Practicality: Doing More With Less

A van needs to work as hard as its owner—and the PV5 doesn’t disappoint.

• 4.4 m³ load volume – enough for tools, boxes, or a jobsite kit.

• Payload up to 790 kg (standard range) or 690 kg (long range).

• Flat floor, wide rear door aperture, side access—all shaped for efficient load and wash down after dusty workdays.

It’s not a lorry—but for countless trades and small ops, it’s just right.

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Safety & Tech: Commercial Van Meets Modern Standards

When it comes to work vehicles, tech often takes a backseat. Not here. Kia peppers the PV5 with safety and convenience gear expected in today’s van.

• Advanced driver assist systems (ADAS): lane keeping assist, forward collision braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alerts—designed for road aware deliveries, reversing on busy sites, or commuting.

• Cockpit features: smart displays, trip log, efficient HVAC, 12V and USB C chargers for tools and devices.

• OTA (over the air) updates possible—fleets can update vehicles without a session in the garage.

When productivity and safety matter, this straddles the gap between tool van and tech toolkit.

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Comparison: How the PV5 Stacks Up Against the Big Three

Specification Kia PV5 Ford Transit Custom EV VW Transporter EV Mercedes e Vito

Battery (kWh) 51.5 / 71.2 50–70 ~77 @ full spec ~75 kWh

Range (WLTP, miles) 181 / 247 ~183 ~200 ~186

Payload (kg) 790 / 690 ~832 ~800 ~900

Load Volume (m³) 4.4 4.3–6.4 5.8 6.0

0–80% Rapid Charge (min) <30 ~34 ~35 ~35

Price ex VAT £27,645 (grant eligible) ~£34,000 £37,000 ~£35,000 ~£35,000 £38,000

Warranty 7yr / 100,000 mi 5yr / 60,000 mi 3yr / 60,000 mi 5yr / 100,000 mi

The PV5 punches above its weight—offering strong range, competitive payload, and rock solid value.

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What Buyers Will Love (And What to Test)

👍 Pros:

• Competitive range and fast charging.

• Substantial load area in a small footprint.

• LED lighting, strong warranty, strong Kia after sales.

• UK friendly pricing once the grant is applied.

• Tech rich, ADAS equipped, comfortable cockpit.

🔍 Considerations:

• Real world range with payload and moping van routes—future road tests needed.

• Service network readiness—can Kia handle fleets at scale?

• Production availability—initial run timing and volumes still under wraps.

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What’s Next: Testing & Launch Timeline

Kia showcased a near production prototype and confirmed UK deliveries will begin late 2025 / early 2026.

At Planetauto, we're already lining one up for hands on review: road tests, payload runs, charge time experiments—the full suite.

Final Verdict: A Work Ready Future

The Kia PV5 isn’t just an electric van—it’s a utility statement. A nimble, capable, attractive payload mover built from the ground up to serve fleets, tradespeople, and delivery operators with zero tailpipe emissions but none of the compromises.

Built on a dedicated EV platform, priced to compete, and designed to work hard—Kia might just have a van here that changes the conversation.

Stay tuned—this one’s going to flip the small van segment on its head.

 

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