Kia’s first electric van, and its first commercial vehicle in any shape or form, will arrive on European roads by the end of 2025. The manufacturer has announced pricing for the PV5 in its regular panel van shape, which undercuts its main rival, the VW ID. Buzz Cargo, by more than €10,000.
The Kia PV5 is the Korean manufacturer’s first foray into the commercial vehicle space. Its brand-new modular platform is meant to suit multiple ‘Platform Beyond Vehicles’ (PBV).
The mid-size electric van promises efficient drivetrains but lacks payload and towing performance, making it a rival to the more lifestyle-oriented Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo, rather than dedicated vans like the Citroën ë-Jumpy or the Renault Trafic.
Mediocre payload, good electric performance
Kia is launching the PV5 in the more common L2H1 body style. It has a length of 4,695 mm, a width of 1,895 mm, and a height of 1,923 mm.
This creates space for up to 4.4 m³ of cargo, with a maximum payload of 790 kg. It is usable, but far from the one-tonne-plus vans in the same segment.
Two drivetrains will be available from launch: a base model with 122 hp and a 51.5 kWh battery, promising up to 291 km of WLTP range, or a long-range version with 163 hp and 71.2 kWh, offering up to 397 km of range. In both cases, fast charging takes less than 30 minutes from 10 to 80 percent.
The latter’s larger battery compromises the maximum payload, which shrinks to 620 kg, but the more powerful motor adds more towing capacity: 750 kg, compared to just 450 kg for the base model.
One of the cheapest electric vans of its size
The Kia PV5 strikes back compared to its rivals in terms of price. The PV5 Cargo L2H1 is available from €32,250 ex. VAT in Belgium is one of the cheapest electric vans in its segment. The 71.2-kWh version costs €35,500.
As a reference, the Citroën ë-Jumpy has a base price of €32,580 ex. VAT, but it has far inferior electric performance, while the more comparable Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo costs at least €44,400 ex. VAT.
20 PBV centers in Belgium and Luxembourg
The Kia PV5 will enter production at the manufacturer’s Hwaseong (South Korea) plant later this year. A European launch is expected before the end of 2025.
Kia will open 20 PBV centers in Belgium and Luxembourg as part of the existing dealer network. These centers will have dedicated commercial vehicle specialists and service protocols for this new segment for the brand. The PV5 Passenger, which is coming later, will be available at every Kia dealership.
