- New Kia PV5 electric can - full specs revealed
- Will cost from less than £23,000
- Undercuts many rivals
- Range of up to 247 miles and 790 kg max payload
- Order books open in May 2025
Kia has revealed full details of its new PV5 electric van, and it’s coming to the UK with pricing that could shake up the small van market.
Starting from £27,645 plus VAT (£22,645 after the government’s Plug-in Van Grant), the Kia PV5 undercuts many of its key electric rivals, including the Vauxhall Combo Electric and Renault Kangoo E-Tech. Significantly, after the grant, it even undercuts diesel-powered rivals.
While Kia has over 50 years of commercial vehicle experience globally, with models like the Bongo truck still popular overseas, the PV5 marks its first venture into the UK van sector. It’s launching as part of a wider £2.2 billion investment into electric vans under the brand’s new Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) division.
The brand expects to initially sell 3,000 to 4,000 PV5s a year in the UK, with plans for larger PV7 and PV9 models to follow by 2030, increasing sales to 17,000.
Choice of two battery sizes
The Kia PV5 Cargo will be available with a 51.5kWh standard-range battery or a 71.2kWh long-range battery. These will give the van a WLTP range of 181 or 247 miles, respectively.
Both versions feature a front-mounted electric motor, producing either 120bhp or 161bhp, with 250Nm of torque. That’s plenty of pulling power for typical urban and regional deliveries.
Rapid charging from 10–80% takes less than 30 minutes using a 150kW DC charger, while 11kW AC charging is fitted as standard.
Load space and practicality
The PV5 Cargo L2H1 offers a 4.4m³ load area – enough for two Euro pallets – and a low 419mm loading height that makes it easier to get heavy items in and out. A high-roof L2H2 version, with 5.1m³ capacity, is due in 2026.
Payloads stand at 790kg for the standard-range van and 690kg for the long-range version, which is roughly on par with key rivals like the Combo Electric.
Twin rear doors and a nearside sliding door are standard, with an optional offside sliding door available.
Interior and tech
Inside, the PV5 gets two cloth seats, a 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Android Automotive OS (with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), and a 7.5-inch digital instrument panel.
All vans come well-equipped as standard, with air conditioning, parking sensors, a reversing camera, and smart entry with push-button start. The ‘Plus’ trim level adds heated seats and steering wheel, wireless phone charging, and blind-spot monitoring, among other extras.
Fleet operators can also access integrated fleet management tools via Kia’s partnership with Geotab, with future developments planned alongside Samsung.
Crew van and chassis cab options
Kia will expand the PV5 range with a Crew van featuring two front seats and a sliding three-seat rear bench, and a Chassis Cab offering greater payloads up to 995kg, suitable for dropside, box van, and other conversions.
Factory-built conversions will be available, and Kia will also support third-party upfits.
A PV5 Passenger model, starting from £32,995 OTR, will also join the range later, initially with five seats and a seven-seat version to follow. A wheelchair-accessible variant is also in development.
Service and aftersales support
Kia plans to open 60 dedicated PBV Centres across the UK, with around 45 ready this year. These centres will provide specialist sales and servicing for commercial customers, with separate service desks.
PV5 vans come with Kia’s seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, along with an eight-year battery warranty guaranteeing a 70% state of health. Service intervals are every two years or 20,000 miles.
Kia PV5 Cargo availability
The PV5 Cargo launches first in L2H1 form with the standard equipment grade, priced from £22,645 after the grant. Further models will follow, including L1H1 and high-roof L2H2 versions and Crew Van and Chassis Cab variants. Order books open in May, with first customer deliveries expected before the end of the year.
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