The Korean automobile manufacturer Kia is expanding its electric lineup and enlarging its range of commercial vehicles: shortly after the launch of the PV5 Cargo electric van, the fully electric PV5 Passenger is now hitting the market, the first passenger car model based on the brand's "Platform Beyond Vehicle" concept. This is designed to enable a variety of customized vehicle variants through modularity and flexibility. The nearly 4.70 meter long, front-wheel-drive minibus is aimed at both private and commercial users and is initially available as a five-seater. Further variants, including a seven-seater, a six-seater taxi, and a wheelchair-accessible version will follow.
Five-seater at launch
The five-seater, which can be ordered immediately and whose delivery starts in mid-November, is offered with two battery sizes (51.5 and 71.2 kWh)
and in three consecutive equipment lines: Essential, Plus, and Elite. The batteries are claimed to suffice for a range of 288 and 400 kilometers respectively. Charging takes 30 minutes from 10 to 80 percent. The towing capacity is 1.5 tons, and the maximum load volume is 2,300 liters.
Extensive standard equipment
The Kia PV5 Passenger offers comprehensive comfort features as standard, as well as the latest assistance and infotainment technologies, from LED headlights to an infotainment system that allows the installation of user-specific apps. Optional features include electric sliding doors and tailgate, a 220-volt socket, digital car key, surround view camera, electric front seats and seat ventilation. Up to seven airbags protect the occupants. Prices start at 38,290 euros including tax for the model with a 51.5-kWh
battery and 42,290 euros for the version with the 71.2-kWh battery. Kia provides a seven-year manufacturer's warranty (or 150,000 km) and an eight-year battery warranty (or 160,000 km) for the minibus.
"Our light commercial vehicles, suitable for both private and business customers, combine the clean efficiency of an electric drive with the unparalleled flexibility of the pioneering Kia PBV architecture," says Thomas Djuren, Managing Director of Kia Germany.
The company sees great potential in this new business field, partly because the demand for customized products is growing. With its variety of variants, the Kia PV5 Passenger as well as the PV5 Cargo aims to be an exciting alternative to well-known players in its segment. This is especially true since Kia plans to leverage its long-standing experience as
a pioneer in the field of electromobility.
Platform derived from electric passenger cars
The PBV models are based on the standalone platform E-GMP.S (Electric Global Modular Platform for Service). It builds on the strengths of the existing electric platform E-GMP, which also characterizes the EV3, EV6, and EV9. The so-called skateboard concept of the E-GMP.S is intended to provide a flat base for different body constructions, and the integrated modular architecture (IMA) allows key components like batteries and motors to be standardized. This approach makes it possible to develop a range that covers a wide spectrum of segments and diverse usage requirements. To optimally tailor production conditions to the novel vehicle concept, the brand has set up a special PBV plant (Hwaseong Evo Plant) at Kia Autoland
