Kia Motors has turned heads at the IAA Hannover by showcasing its innovative Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) concept. This brand-new range of purpose-designed electric light commercial vehicles comes with the assurance of a seven-year warranty, signalling Kia’s strong belief in its electric future.
Unveiling Kia’s PBV Line-up
The IAA Transportation exhibition in Hanover, Germany served as the platform for the unveiling of Kia’s array of fully-electric light commercial vehicles. Showcased were the PV5 concept, PV5 People Mover concept, PV5 High Roof concept and PV7 concept, each offering unique features, superior software and over-the-air updates. The production variants of these vehicles are set to make their grand debut in the summer of 2025.
The Range of PBV Vans
The upcoming PBV line-up from Kia is expected to offer a variety of dimensions, seat layouts, and conversions, all tailored to suit a wide array of customer requirements. Kia promises these vehicles will offer best-in-class cargo volumes and loading heights; however, the detailed specifications are yet to be disclosed. The South Korean manufacturer is also collaborating with partners to create specialist variants of the PBVs for niche needs, such as internal racking, refrigerated goods transportation, leisure models, and wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Key for UK business users is the assurance of superior cargo volume and best-in-class loading height, alongside a dedicated dealer network for B2B customers and various finance options.
New Electric Van Platform
Kia is investing in a novel Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) platform customised for its new van range, easily adaptable to different wheelbase lengths and a wide spectrum of vehicle sizes and body types. Every PBV will benefit from a seven-year/150,000 km warranty, with an extended 8-year warranty specifically for the batteries. These vehicles will boast futuristic cabins, AI-powered interfaces, and abundant storage spaces, making them versatile mobile workspaces.
Charging Infrastructure
Kia’s upcoming PBV range will be supported by the extensive Kia Charge network, offering access to over 780,000 charging points across 28 European countries. The IONITY network further bolsters the charging infrastructure with an additional 4,100 charging points across 24 European countries. All PBVs will be capable of charging from 10% to 80% in less than 30 minutes, with the ability to accept 22kW AC charging and fast charging of up to 150kW DC.
The unveiling of Kia’s PBV concept at IAA Hannover has brought a fresh and exciting perspective to the UK’s Light Commercial Vehicle market. Although complete specifications are yet to be revealed, the glimpse provided into Kia’s new electric van range is intriguing. Despite a market saturated with platform-sharing electric vans, Kia’s new offering stands out as a unique proposition. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
