Kia PV5 sets 431-mile record for fully-laden electric van

The Kia PV5 Cargo van has set a Guinness World Record for electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs) after travelling 430.84 miles on a single charge while carrying its maximum permitted payload.

With its 790kg payload onboard, the South Korean manufacturer’s world record-breaking drive took place in real-world conditions on public roads of Frankfurt in Germany. Launched earlier this year, the PV5 is Kia’s first electric commercial vehicle and is built on a dedicated 400 Volt platform.

The drivers responsible for the world record were motoring writer and van specialist, George Barrow, and Christopher Nigemeier, a senior engineer at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center (HMTEC). Ahead of the shared 22-hour, 30-minute run, the PV5’s 71.2kWh battery was charged to 100% with both the charging port and cargo compartment sealed up.

“I’m genuinely excited to have been part of this incredible Guinness World Records achievement. It was a demanding but unforgettable journey,” said Barrow. “I was seriously impressed by how far the Kia PV5 can go: more than 430 miles on a single charge and with a full payload.

“That’s no small feat, and I have a feeling this record won’t be easy to beat. The PV5 and Christopher were great teammates for this challenge, and I’m proud to have been part of a record that pushes the boundaries for electric vans.”

Nigemeier added: “As an engineer, this challenge was both technical and personal. George brought an incredible amount of driving experience from testing other vans, while I had the advantage of knowing the PV5’s powertrain inside out.

“It became a friendly competition between us – who could squeeze the most out of each kilowatt-hour. In the end, it was the vehicle itself that impressed us both.”

Priced from £27,645 before VAT, the all-electric Kia PV5 is available with either a 51.5kWh battery returning a 184-mile range, or a 71.2kWh unit capable of an official 258 miles on a single charge. The former has a 120bhp motor, while the latter gets 161bhp all-electric horses.

Thanks to the UK Government’s plug-in van grant, it is also elegible for a £5,000 price reduction.