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Future models - Kia - PV5Electric Kia PV5 van confirmed for AustraliaFirst of three electric Kia vans set for 2026 launch in passenger and cargo variants6 Oct 2025 By TOM BAKER THE first model of what will become a three-strong Kia electric van line-up will launch in Australia during the second or third quarter of next year as local emissions regulations spur growth in the nation’s nascent electrified commercial vehicle segment.
Kia’s battery electric (BEV) van offensive commences with smallest of the trio, with the Euro-sized PV5 model measuring 4695mm long, 1895mm wide, and 1923mm high (with antenna fitted), while a new E-GMP Services (E-GMP.S) platform shared with Hyundai unlocks a 2995mm wheelbase.
Three basic configurations comprise passenger, cargo and high roof versions. A ‘Flexible Body System’ design retains only a common front cabin module, with configurable rear-end, roof and quarter-glass components enabling Kia to market 16 unique variations, plus a dedicated wheelchair-accessible version.
Passenger versions of the PV5 will be available in two- or three-row configurations, with Kia claiming the lowest step-in height (399mm) in the people-mover class. Luggage space in this version expands to 3615 litres in two-seat mode.
Meanwhile, the PV5 cargo offers four cubic metres of cargo room in the standard (L1H1) model, with space expanding to 5.2 cubic metres in the high roof (L2H2) variant. Cargo models have a relatively low rear step-in height of 419mm.
The PV5 has already entered production at the Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) Hwaseong plant in South Korea, with first deliveries bound for the Korean and European markets before an Australian release loosely pegged between April and September of 2026.
Longer and larger PV7 and PV9 models will utilise stretched versions of the PV5’s E-GMP.S platform with global launches scheduled for 2027 and 2029 respectively, giving Kia squarer competition for larger BEV vans like the Ford e-Transit Custom and LDV eDeliver 7.
The E-GMP.S architecture represents a step beyond the E-GMP platform used by Kia’s EV6 and EV9 SUV models, borrowing software-defined vehicle (SDV) characteristics from Kia and Hyundai’s next-generation Integrated Modular Architecture (IMA) platform.
Kia refers to its unified hardware/software platform strategy as Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV), and it is aiming to sell 250,000 PBV-derived models globally by 2030.
Three battery sizes will be available at launch for the cargo version: a 43.3kWh LFP pack and a pair of NMC batteries (51.5kWh or 71.2kWh), with the latter providing 412km range (WLTP) with a claimed 10-80 per cent charge time “within 30 minutes”, implying a peak DC charging speed of around 100kW.
Only the NMC batteries will be available for the passenger variants, while power and torque outputs are said to be fixed at 120kW/250Nm for all configurations and battery sizes.
Vehicle weight, payload and towing capacities are not yet known, though Kia says the placement of the battery pack low in the chassis of the PV5 improves driving dynamics.
Operators and fleet managers will have direct access to an extensive telematics feed straight from the PV5 without the need for third-party devices, while a unique operating system based on Google’s Android Automotive can be adapted to control service body items via third-party apps.
The cab of the PV5 is trimmed in more durable materials than Kia’s passenger cars, though passenger versions are available with quilted vinyl upholstery. People-carrying variants have a specific suspension tune designed to ride more comfortably and quietly than the heavier-duty cargo vans.
Kia developed the PV5 in close collaboration with large fleet operators of vans including DHL Korea, Milwaukee and Kakao Mobility, while rideshare platform Uber was extensively consulted to ensure passenger versions are fit for purpose.
As well as the factory wheelchair-accessible variant, Kia has established a PBV Conversion Centre in Korea, allowing certified conversion partners to receive pre-prepared donor PV5 models from the factory ready for “certified, factory-quality conversions”, potentially reducing total cost for some operators.  Read moreAll future models Alfa Romeo Abarth Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chrysler Chevrolet Dodge Citroen Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton Haval Great Wall Honda Holden Hyundai HSV Isuzu Infiniti Jaguar Iveco Kia Jeep Land Rover Lamborghini Maserati Lexus McLaren Mazda MG Mercedes-Benz Mitsubishi Mini Opel Nissan Porsche Peugeot Ram Proton Rolls-Royce Renault Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo VolkswagenMotor industry news GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events. |
Click to shareKia modelsResearch Kia All future modelsAlfa RomeoAbarthAudiAston MartinBMWBentleyChryslerChevroletDodgeCitroenFerrariDSFordFiatFPVFotonHavalGreat WallHondaHoldenHyundaiHSVIsuzuInfinitiJaguarIvecoKiaJeepLand RoverLamborghiniMaseratiLexusMcLarenMazdaMGMercedes-BenzMitsubishiMiniOpelNissanPorschePeugeotRamProtonRolls-RoyceRenaultSkodaSaabSsangYongSmartSuzukiSubaruToyotaTeslaVolvoVolkswagenMotor industry newsGoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events. |
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