Kia has expanded its electric van options, a year after the brand launched its PBV (Professional Business Vehicle) range at the CV Show.
This year’s event at the NEC in Birmingham has seen the unveiling of additional variants of the initial PV5 medium van, the Cargo version gaining L1/H1 and L2/H2 options alongside the existing L2/H1.
The L1/H1 will offer a 4m3 load volume and at 800kg a maximum payload increased by 10kg over the L2/H1, while the L2/H2 will extend the initial van’s 4.4m3 load volume to 5.2m3.
Kia has also appointed its first official PBV specialist conversion partners – while product manager Dave Catt stated that conversions are less important in the sector of the market in which the PV5 competes, Kia is establishing and building relationships ready for the arrival of its later larger models.
Approved Kia PBV conversion partners Würth UK and Modul-System can now offer bespoke racking systems for the PB5, including flooring and lining. Coolkit, the UK’s largest temperature-controlled vehicle specialist, is producing chilled, freezer and dual-temperature conversions, while TGS Automotive Group will offer lightweight tipper, dropside and box van variants.
Finally GM Coachworks will produce a WAV (wheelchair-accessible vehicle) variant of the five-seat PV5 Passenger, with wheelchair access through the rear and the original seat layout retained.
Kia has enjoyed an exceptional first year on the UK light commercial vehicle market, and in Q1 2026 sold 1,235 PV5s to achieve an 18.5% share of electric vehicle sales behind only Volkswagen and Ford.
The existing PV5 Cargo and Passenger models will be joined later in 2026 by a plain chassis version and a Crew Van – this will have a bulkhead mounted on the back of the second row of seats, which will slide to increase cargo volume from 2.4m3 to 3.7m3, allowing maximum use of the cargo area when the passenger capacity is not needed.
While the Crew Van will only at this point be offered with the 51.5kWh standard-range battery and not the long-range battery available for the Cargo, Kia reckons it will appeal particularly to small traders wanting to use their vehicle for work during the week and family transport at the weekends, being a viable alternative to a double-cab pick-up in light of recent changes to taxation for such vehicles.
The PV5 has also already undergone updates for the 2027 model year versions which will go on sale later in 2026. L2/H1 versions of the Cargo will now be available with a three-seat arrangement in response to customer feedback, while driver’s lumbar support has been added and in two-seat versions a height adjustable armrest.
Meanwhile Kia is launching a new customer support programme for PV5 users. The Business Service Promise includes fixed labour rates and service plans, while PV5s are now also available on Kia’s rental programme. Ohme and Radius have been appointed as preferred suppliers of charging infrastructure for PV5 users.
The LCV range will expand with the launch of the larger PB7 model in 2027 followed by a flagship PV9 version expected in 2029.
You must be logged in to post a comment.