Kia PV5 electric van to launch with Nexen NBlue S tyres • Professional Pickup

Nexen Tire has been confirmed as the original equipment supplier for the upcoming Kia PV5, with its NBlue S tyre fitted to the new electric van.

The PV5 is Kia’s first purpose-built vehicle (PBV), designed on the company’s E-GMP electric platform. While it will be available in passenger and lifestyle versions, the van variant will form the backbone of the range, aimed squarely at delivery firms and urban logistics.

Tyres play a critical part in maximising efficiency, safety and durability, especially for commercial users. Nexen’s NBlue S, supplied in 215/65R16 102H size, has been developed with electric vehicles in mind. The design focuses on reducing rolling resistance to improve efficiency, while also offering strong wet-weather performance and reduced road noise — factors that will be welcomed by van drivers working long shifts.

The tyre features Nexen’s Sidewall Aero Dynamic technology, which cuts noise levels and helps improve efficiency, along with a simplified tread groove that improves water drainage and wet traction. That means the promise of better braking stability and consistent grip even under the stop-start demands of urban driving.

The PV5 is central to Kia’s global PBV strategy, with flexible hardware and software that can be adapted for different roles, from delivery vans and wheelchair accessible vehicles to ride-hailing vehicles and specialist conversions. The van model, with its flat floor and modular body options, is expected to be of particular interest to fleets looking for adaptable, future-ready electric commercial vehicles.

“The supply of OE tyres for the Kia PV5 demonstrates our technological competitiveness in the future mobility market, driven by electrification and personalisation,” said John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO of Nexen Tire. “We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with global automakers to contribute to the expansion of the future mobility ecosystem.”

Nexen already supplies tyres for other Kia electric models, including the EV6 and EV9, and now extends that partnership to the PV5. The Kia PV5 will make its UK debut later this year, with the van version expected to arrive with customers in 2026.

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Phil Huff

Phil Huff, a seasoned automotive journalist since 2011, specialises in new car and van launches for national and regional newspapers, magazines, and online platforms. As the editor of light commercial vehicle publications Professional Van and Professional Pickup, Phil delivers high-quality content for a UK audience of LCV owner-operators and small business users.