Kia has officially entered the UK electric commercial vehicle sector, unveiling its first purpose-built electric van — the PV5 — at the 2025 Commercial Vehicle (CV) Show. The company has also announced an all-new dealer and service network, focused exclusively on supporting businesses making the shift to electric. Pre-orders for the PV5 Cargo and PV5 Passenger open on 1 May 2025, with customer deliveries expected later this year.
The introduction of the Kia PV5 forms part of the brand’s broader Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) strategy and marks the company’s most significant UK business shift since entering the car market in the early 1990s. The launch includes the establishment of 50 PBV Centres at the outset — growing to 60 by 2026 — providing national coverage for both sales and aftersales support. These centres will be equipped with bespoke facilities and will mostly be operated by Kia’s existing dealer partners who already have commercial vehicle experience.
Electric Commercial Vehicle Market in the UK: A Sector in Transition
The UK electric van market has seen significant growth over the past five years, driven by stricter emissions regulations, the expansion of Clean Air Zones (CAZs), and government incentives such as the Plug-in Van Grant. While adoption has been slower than in the passenger car sector, momentum is building. According to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), electric vans accounted for around 5.9% of new light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations in 2024 — a modest but growing figure. Analysts expect this to exceed 10% by 2026 as model availability improves and more fleet operators commit to electrification targets. The arrival of new competitors like the PV5 will likely accelerate this shift, especially as businesses face mounting pressure to reduce operational emissions and comply with fleet decarbonisation goals.
Kia PV5: Versatile and Competitive Electric Van Option
The Kia PV5 will be available in both Cargo and Passenger variants, underpinned by Kia’s dedicated E-GMP.S electric platform — engineered from the ground up for commercial use. The PV5 Cargo will be offered in two lengths and, uniquely for its segment, includes a high roof (H2) option in the longer body configuration. The largest version delivers up to 5.17m³ of load space, while the L2/H1 offers 4.4m³. Payload capacity peaks at 790kg, and the rear step is just 419mm from the ground, which Kia claims is the lowest in its class.
Buyers can choose from two battery sizes: a standard 51.5kWh pack delivering up to 181 miles of range (WLTP) and a 71.2kWh long-range option good for up to 247 miles. Both variants support 150kW DC fast charging and 11kW AC as standard, enabling 10-to-80% top-ups in under 30 minutes — a critical specification for fleet uptime.
Pricing for the PV5 Cargo L2/H1 begins at £27,645 (plus VAT) for the ‘Essential’ trim with the smaller battery, or £30,145 (plus VAT) for the long-range version. Both qualify for the £5,000 Plug-in Van Grant, bringing the effective entry point down significantly. The PV5 Passenger version starts at £32,995 (OTR), launching initially in a five-seat configuration with a range of up to 249 miles using the long-range battery.
More Options to Come — Including WAV and Chassis Cab
Kia will also introduce a Crew van and Chassis Cab variant at launch, with more configurations to follow in 2026, including a shorter L1/H1 and larger L2/H2 model. A factory-developed Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) is also on the roadmap, offering step-free access and specialist features for mobility applications.
Each PV5 will come with Kia’s industry-standard seven-year/100,000-mile warranty and extended service intervals of every 20,000 miles or two years. These features, combined with strong range, rapid charging, and a choice of body styles, position the PV5 as a serious contender in the growing electric LCV market.
Building for Scale – Kia’s Future PBV Plans
The PV5 is the first in a series of dedicated electric commercial vehicles from Kia. The next model in the PBV line-up, the larger PV7, is scheduled for 2027, followed by the flagship PV9 in 2029. All are part of Kia’s long-term ‘Plan S’ electrification and mobility strategy, which includes over €3 billion of investment in a new state-of-the-art PBV factory — the Hwaseong EVO Plant in South Korea — capable of producing 150,000 vehicles annually. This facility allows Kia to perform in-factory conversions, including chassis cab customisations and tailored paint finishes, supporting more flexible fleet and specialist vehicle requirements.
Kia expects to sell between 3,000 and 4,000 PBVs in the UK in its first full year, with targets ramping up to 17,000 units annually by 2030. The company sees strong potential among delivery firms, utility companies, and ride-hailing services — all sectors seeking low-emission, high-efficiency transport solutions.
Software and Fleet Efficiency at the Core
Kia is placing an emphasis on smart fleet integration. Through its partnership with Geotab, the PV5 will offer fleet-ready telematics and app integrations via a 12.9-inch central display, which includes native Android app store access. Further collaboration with Samsung and AI platform 42dot will help enable continuous software improvements, making the PV5 a connected, updatable work vehicle suited to digital fleet management.
A Strategic Move into a New Sector
Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia UK, called the PBV launch “the greatest change Kia has undergone since it entered the UK car market over three decades ago”. He believes the company’s strong aftersales network, product reliability, and positive dealer relationships will give it an edge in the highly competitive commercial vehicle sector.
Kia has a long, albeit less visible, history in the commercial space, dating back to its three-wheel pickups in the 1960s and including vehicles like the long-running Bongo pickup. With the PV5, Kia appears ready to make a strong push into a market that is rapidly evolving and demanding increasingly capable zero-emission solutions.
The combination of practical design, flexible configurations, efficient drivetrain options, and accessible pricing suggests the PV5 could become a popular choice for British businesses looking to decarbonise their fleets without compromising capability. You can find out more here.
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