Kia has pulled the covers off the new PV5 for public viewing for the first time. Its first purpose-built electric van launches in the UK with sharp pricing and specs that should rattle the small van sector.
- Prices from £27,645 +VAT (£22,645 +VAT after Plug-in Van Grant)
- Cargo volume up to 4.4m³
- Payload up to 790kg
- Up to 247 miles WLTP range (long range)
- Seven year warranty
- Order books open 1 May 2025
- First deliveries in Q4 2025
Prices for the PV5 Cargo L2H1 start from £27,645 plus VAT, dropping to as little as £22,645 after the government’s Plug-in Van Grant
. That means the PV5 undercuts many of its electric rivals, including the Vauxhall Combo Electric and Renault Kangoo E-Tech, including the diesel-powered models.
This is the first product to emerge from Kia’s $3 billion (£2.2bn) investment in its LCV (light commercial vehicle) programme, part of its wider Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) business strategy. The brand is targeting 3,000 to 4,000 UK sales in 2026, rising to an ambitious 17,000 units by 2030, following the introduction of the larger PV7 and PV9 models.
Although Kia has a long heritage in commercial vehicles globally, dating back over 50 years to its first three-wheel pickups and continuing with today’s Bongo truck, it has never before sold a commercial vehicle in the UK market. The PV5 marks its first attempt to break into the sector.
Two battery choices: Standard range or long range
The PV5 Cargo comes with either a 51.5kWh standard-range battery or a 71.2kWh long-range battery. The standard range offers up to 181 miles of WLTP range, while the long-range boosts driving distance to 247 miles.
Both versions use a front-mounted electric motor, producing either 89.4kW (around 120bhp) or 120kW (around 161bhp), with a strong 250Nm of torque to help manage loads.
Charging is quick, too — both battery options can top up from 10-80% in under 30 minutes when plugged into a 150kW DC rapid charger. AC charging up to 11kW is standard across the range, allowing for reasonably fast depot charging and compatibility with home chargers.
Kia PV5 cargo space and practicality
The PV5 Cargo L2H1 offers a 4.4m³ load volume — half a cubic metre more than the Combo Electric XL and enough to accommodate two Euro pallets. The low 419mm loading height, thanks to the dedicated electric platform, makes loading and unloading easier than many rivals — it’s 13cm lower than the Combo’s access. A high-roof L2H2 model, expanding cargo space to 5.17m³, will join the range in 2026.
The standard range van provides a 790kg payload, while the long-range reduces payload slightly to 690kg — that’s roughly on par with the Vauxhall Combo Electric, which ranges from 691 to 781kg, depending on spec.
The van has a standard nearside sliding door and twin rear doors. Buyers can add an offside sliding door for an extra £355.
Kia PV5 interior and tech
Inside, the PV5 features two cloth-trimmed seats, a 12.9-inch central touchscreen powered by Android Automotive OS (with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), and a 7.5-inch digital driver’s display. Air conditioning, smart entry with push-button start, and a comprehensive list of safety systems all come as standard.
The entry ‘Essential’ trim offers strong equipment levels, including climate control, parking sensors at the front and rear, and a reversing camera, while the ‘Plus’ grade adds kit like a heated steering wheel and seats, wireless phone charging, blind-spot monitoring, and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability for powering tools directly from the van, all for just an additional £910. Those opting for the Plus trim can also add an efficient heat pump for £640.
Fleet users will also benefit from integrated fleet management services through Kia’s partnership with Geotab, plus future software solutions developed alongside Samsung and 42dot.
Crew van and chassis cab coming soon
The PV5 Crew variant offers two front seats and a folding/sliding three-seat rear bench, making it ideal for teams needing flexibility between passengers and cargo. Available only with the smaller 51.5kWh battery, it offers up to 174 miles of range and a payload of 605kg.
The PV5 Chassis Cab opens up a range of conversion possibilities and will also offer both battery options. Payload figures for the Chassis Cab reach up to 995kg with the long-range battery. Kia will provide factory-built conversions — think dropsides and box vans — and support for third-party conversions.
A Passenger version will also be available, starting from £32,995 OTR, initially as a five-seater, with a seven-seat model to follow. A Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) conversion is also in development.
Pricing for Crew and Chassis Cab models will be announced later in 2025.
Kia PV5 service and support
Kia is supporting the PV5 with a network of 60 dedicated PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) Centres across the UK, with around 45 expected to be ready and open this year, offering separate service desks for commercial vehicle customers. Impressively, dealers have committed to the programme despite not having seen the van or been told the pricing in advance — a sign of strong confidence in Kia’s LCV ambitions.
PV5 vans come with the same seven-year/100,000-mile warranty as Kia’s car range, plus an eight-year battery warranty guaranteeing at least 70% state of health. Servicing is required every two years or 20,000 miles, minimising downtime for operators.
Kia’s Tamworth parts warehouse will support the PV5, claiming 97% overnight parts availability, with deliveries to dealers by 8am.
Government support and future planning
The PV5 qualifies for the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) Plug-in Van Grant, currently worth £5,000 per vehicle — but this support is only guaranteed until April 2026. Kia has confirmed it is actively lobbying the government to extend the scheme beyond that date to help maintain affordability.
Following the PV5, Kia plans to launch the larger PV7 van in 2027 and the PV9 in 2029, all built at the new Hwaseong EVO plant in South Korea. The facility is capable of producing up to 150,000 vehicles annually and can complete chassis cab conversions and custom livery on-site.
Kia PV5 Cargo pricing and availability
The Kia PV5 Cargo will initially be available in L2H1 form, in entry-level trim, with prices starting from just £22,645 after the government’s plug-in van grant. Details on further bodystyles — L1H1 and L2H2 panel vans, and Chassis Cab and Crew Cab variants — will be available later in the year.
The first batch of dealers will be announced in May, when order books will open. First customer deliveries are expected before the end of the year.
| Standard range | Long range | |
|---|---|---|
| Kia PV5 Cargo L2H1 Essential | £27,645 | £30,145 |
| Kia PV5 Cargo L2H1 Plus | £28,555 | £31,055 |
| Kia PV5 Cargo L2H1 Plus + Heat Pump | £29,195 | £31,695 |
With competitive pricing, practical specifications, and a strong aftersales plan, the Kia PV5 will give small van buyers — diesel or electric — a new option to consider. Real-world performance, running costs, and support from the new PBV dealer network will be key to its success once first deliveries begin later this year.
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