Kia electric vans get European debut at IAA Transportation
Kia has shown its new generation of all-electric vans for the first time in Europe.
The range of PBVs (Platform Beyond Vehicle) were showcased at the IAA Transportation show in Hanover, ahead of going into production in 2025.
Kia says its range of LCVs will offer class-leading space and load capacities as it looks to challenge major players such as Ford, Peuoget, Renault and Mercedes in the growing electric van arena.
Technical details such as motor options and battery capacity are still thin on the ground but Kia has confirmed that its vans will charge at up to 150kW DC, going from 10-80% in less than half an hour. That hints at a battery of around 65kWh. They will also offer 22kW AC for at-depot charging and feature vehicle-to-load charging to power tools and other devices from their traction battery.
The vans are built on an EV platform developed specifically for LCVs, which can be adapted to different wheelbase lengths and body designs. This will allow Kia to follow competitors in offering a variety of van sizes, body types such as chassis cabs, and interior layouts including panel van and passenger transport. In Hanover, Kia showcased the PV5 panel van and people mover concepts, as well as a high roof PV5 and PV7 panel van.
The Korean brand is also working with European conversion specialists to develop individualised vans for specific needs, such as racking, refrigeration, leisure, and wheelchair-accessible mobility.
The PV5, which is slightly smaller than the Ford E-Transit Custom, is due to go on sale next year, with smaller vans expected to join the line-up alongside the larger PV7 at a later date.
“In order to disrupt the LCV market, an all-in approach is needed to maximise the benefits of a dedicated platform for a wide range of customers,” said Marc Hedrich, president of Kia in Europe.
“While this approach is not a first for electric passenger cars, it’s certainly the first time we see it for LCV. This is a benchmark moment, and our PBVs are set to deliver better accessibility, higher volumes, and lower running costs, to completely change logistics and mobility.”
At IAA Transportation, Kia announced that its vans would come with the same seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty as its passenger cars and support the same contactless plug-and-go charging across the 780,000-device Kia Charge network. It also revealed plans for a dedicated dealer network for business-to-business users, with bespoke workshops and specialist staff.
To support fleet managers, Kia has entered a partnership with Geotab to provide connected fleet solutions for its vans. Connected to the Android Automotive-based infotainment system, this will allow operators to optimise route planning, track driver behaviour and monitor vehicle status, as well as remotely identify maintenance issues to reduce vehicle downtime.
“We are partnering with Geotab because we share a commitment to providing best-in-class fleet management solutions,” said Pierre-Martin Bos, director of PBV at Kia Europe. “Together we are focused on providing fleet operators with advanced technology and rich data insights required to optimise operations and improve driver safety.”
