Kia has announced it will launch a dedicated network of 45 professional business van (PBV) centres across the UK after unveiling its PV5 EV at the Commercial Vehicle Show.
The PBV centres will offer sales and after sales services and expand to 60 branches by the end of next year.
This new network will mostly be with existing Kia partners who have experience of commercial vehicles with other brands.
Kia PBV centres will open for business from the fourth quarter of this year to coincide with the first PV5 UK deliveries.
The Standard Range van gets a 51.4kWh battery and provides a range of up to 181 miles, while the Long Range has a 71.2kWh unit and can cover 247 miles between charges.
Every PV5 variant offers 400V fast charging capability, which means when connected to a 150kW charging point the PV5’s battery – both Standard Range or Long Range -can be charged from 10 to 80% in less than 30 minutes.
In addition, a single motor powers the front wheels, developing 163PS and 250Nm.
Kia’s new Flexible Body System enables the modular assembly of body components, providing standard models such as passenger, cargo, chassis-cab, wheelchair accessible vehicle, and family.
Paul Philpott, President and CEO, Kia UK, said: “This is an incredibly exciting time as we grow our business into the commercial vehicle sector here in the UK for the first time.
“This new business for Kia introduces new products, new customers and a new sector of the industry for our brand.”
