The PV5 now accounts for over one-third of Europe’s small electric van market. Kia’s first electric van has quickly become the most popular e-LCV across Europe and the UK.
Kia PV5 EV van sales rise in Europe and the UK
After launching the PV5 at the end of 2025, Kia’s electric van proved to be a bigger hit than expected.
According to the most recent figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), the PV5 accounted for 37% of all electric vans in the small (C-segment) market in Europe, ranking as the best-seller in 12 countries.
The PV5 was the top-selling small EV van in the UK (3,361 units) and in Germany (2,206 units). In Denmark (1,222), the Netherlands (1,196), Norway (739) and Sweden (1,414), it was the best-selling van across all engine types.
In five countries, the PV5 already accounts for over 50% of electric C-segment van sales through the first half of 2026, including: 63% in Denmark, 62% in Ireland, 59% in Sweden, 58% in Finland and 54% in the UK.
“The customer response to the introduction of the PV5 in Europe has been overwhelming,” Sjoerd Knipping, Chief Operating Officer of Kia Europe, said.
Not just in terms of sales, but also “with how the PV5 is adding new value across mobility,” Knipping explained.
In the first six months of 2026, Kia sold 13,166 PV5s. The PV5 is available in Passenger, Cargo, and Chassis variants for businesses and personal use.
In the UK, the PV5 Cargo is the best-selling electric van so far in 2026. July marked the first time Kia sold over 1,000 electric vans in a single month in the UK, including 784 PV5 Cargo and 235 PV5 Passenger models.
Kia has already sold more PV5 models this year than expected. Through July, Kia registered 3,239 PV5 Cargo and 1,141 PV5 Passenger vans. The strong demand propelled Kia into third in the UK’s electric light commercial vehicle market.
Why is the PV5 so popular? It’s much more than an average van, combining Hyundai’s advanced software with the dedicated E-GMP.S platform.
Kia’s electric van has proven its capabilities in real-world situations. The PV5 Cargo set a new Guinness World Record in October after driving 693.38 km (430.84 miles) on a single charge.
With a full lineup of electric vehicles, including the EV2, EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6, and EV9, plus the PV5 van, Kia now ranks as the second-most-popular EV brand in the UK year-to-date. In July, it was the best-selling EV brand with 3,731 registrations.
Top comment by Adam
The standard PV5 has 20% more cargo space and 10% more payload than the extended Ford Transit Connect. What on earth is it doing in the compact segment?
With deliveries of new EV2 variants set to begin and the “rapid rise of the PV5,” Kia UK’s president and CEO, Paul Philpott, expects the momentum to continue for the rest of 2026.
Kia is also launching new PV5 variants, including a 7-seater (2-2-3), Prime, and a Cargo High Roof model. Next year, Kia will introduce the larger PV7 electric van, followed by the PV9 by 2030.
With a full lineup of electric vans, Kia plans to sell 232,000 PBVs by the end of the decade.
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