Tell us about Kia’s PV5 van?
PV5 is Kia’s first dedicated, fully electric commercial vehicle and a strong new entrant in the small van segment. It brings a breadth of variations to the class: PV5 Cargo will be available in two lengths and two height configurations, alongside PV5 Passenger, Crew and Chassis. PV5 Crew is planned to arrive later this year, with a sliding second row that easily switches between five-seat transport or spacious load area in seconds.
With our first five approved PBV Conversion Partners, we’re adding conversion solutions that let businesses tailor PV5 quickly and precisely to their needs, adding untypical flexibility and speed in this part of the market.
From a standing start, PV5 has already made its mark on the industry – in just a few months since first customer deliveries, it is the most registered vehicle in its segment.
What about the L1/H1 and L2/H2 variants on display at the Commercial Vehicle Show?
The new Cargo length and height options give fleets more choice on volume and payload. The commercial PV5 line-up now spans Cargo L1/H1, L2/H1 and L2/H2, supported by Crew and Chassis. L1/H1 is best suited for urban work thanks to its compactness, while L2/H2 delivers a load capacity typically associated with medium vans, but in a small-van footprint.
How is Kia’s commercial vehicle dealer network for the PV5 developing in the UK?
We identified early that PV5 needs a dedicated PBV Centre network alongside our passenger car retailers, to ensure our LCV customers get focused sales and aftersales support without overburdening our car network. We offered the franchise to existing partners first and have now established 65 PBV Centres across the UK, positioned around customer demand and equipped with the expertise commercial operators expect.
Describe Kia’s enhanced PBV customer support service, announced at the CV Show?
Van customers rely on their vehicles to earn a living, so we have enhanced our PBV support offer. Our Business Service Promise now covers PBV customers, with a discounted labour rate and 10% off parts, plus all the benefits of main-dealer servicing, including genuine parts and model-trained technicians. We have also introduced Kia PBV Care Service Plans providing fixed costs across the PV5 range, delivered through our PBV Centres.
To help customers experience PV5 in real working conditions, 20 of our Kia Rental locations now offer PV5 Cargo and PV5 Passenger for hire, from a day to a month. We’ve also partnered with Ohme and Radius to support customers with their home or depot PBV charging requirements.
How important is Kia’s partnership with PBV Conversion Partners: Würth, Modul-System, CoolKit, TGS, and GM Coachwork?
Our approved PBV Conversion Partners are a core part of our PBV strategy, extending use cases with ready-to-order solutions: Würth UK (port-fit flooring, lining, extra locks and racking to speed delivery); TGS (lightweight tipper, dropside and box conversions for PV5 Chassis from Q4 2026); CoolKit (chilled, freezer and dual-temperature PV5 Cargo for food, pharma and healthcare); Modul-System (bespoke racking/workplace solutions, with Modul App integration directly within the PV5 infotainment); and GM Coachwork (rear-access Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle conversion for the PV5 Passenger 5-seater, retaining the original seating layout). Each approved PBV Conversion Partner has matched the Kia seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, underlining quality of the product.
Paul Philpott
President & CEO, Kia UK
