After teasing the PV5 last week, Kia’s electric van was just spotted in the US for the first time. The PV5 is Kia’s first dedicated electric van, and it already looks ready to challenge Volkswagen’s ID.Buzz. A new video and images of the PV5 give us a closer look at the upcoming electric van. Here’s what we know about it so far.
Kia PV5 caught testing in the US for the first time
The PV5 is the first from Kia’s new Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) electric van lineup. It was showcased at CES alongside the smaller PV1 and larger PV7 models last January. In September, Kia held its European debut at IAA Transportation.
Kia claims its “game-changing” PBV platform goes “way beyond the traditional concept of a vehicle.” It’s a total mobility solution that can be modified for a number of uses.
The mid-size PV5 is not only an electric people mover. It’s also a workshop on wheels. Kia will offer several different configurations, including basic for passengers and van for delivery. It will also be available with a Chassis Cab option, like a pickup truck bed.
Although the PV5 was caught in public a few times last year while testing in South Korea, this is the first time Kia’s electric van has been spotted in the US.
The photos and video, sent to Electrek by Alex Nguyen, show a covered PV5 at a charging station in Indiana. Despite the camouflage, you can see Kia’s electric van appears to be slightly bigger than the Volkswagen ID.Buzz. It could be closer to the size of Ford’s E-Transit.
The US-spec ID.Buzz is 195.4″ long, 78.1″ wide, and 76.2″ tall, compared to the E-Transit at 237.6″ long, 81.3″ wide, and 83.9″ tall.
Kia’s PV5 Cargo Compact concept, the most basic model, is 177.2″ long, 74.8″ wide, and 74.8″ tall. However, based on the seating setup, the van in the photos appears to be a bigger passenger model.
Top comment by Pete Za
Cool. This is what people who buy SUVs and crossovers should actually buy, if they are using their vehicles as intended: moving people around.
Kia previewed the PV5 last week with several teaser images ahead of its official global debut on February 27. The EV5 will be showcased alongside the EV4 (which we finally got a glimpse of) and EV2 during its second EV Day next week.
We will also learn more about Kia’s PBV strategy. The company will reveal full details, including the lineup and PV5 launch date. Check back soon for more.
Update February 20: Kia unveiled the PV5 exterior design for the production model ahead of its official debut. Check out the first look here.
Source: Alex Nguyen
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