Kia unveils PV5 electric van as a futuristic people-mover

With the PV5, Kia has declared its intention to compete with heavy hitters like the Volkswagen ID Buzz, Ford E-Transit, Mercedes e-Sprinter, and Ram ProMaster EV. There are very few electric vans on the market today, but that looks to be changing with these new entrants.

The PV5 will come in a number of configurations, depending on whether you want something for cargo delivery, rideshare, or just to fulfill your #Vanlife fantasies. There will also be models built for specialized conversions, which is sure to thrill the van conversion aftermarket.

While the passenger version features a large window area, the cargo variant emphasizes space efficiency with a clean, modern look. Kia didn’t offer any details about its powertrain, range, price, or availability.

The PV5 will just be the first of many PBV-branded vehicles to come from Kia. PBV was introduced during CES 2024 in Las Vegas as a family of EVs built on a flexible vehicle architecture, with different swappable body types. The vehicle can be transformed from a minivan to a full-size van to a small truck, depending on the specific need. The driver cab remains fixed while the rest of the vehicle is interchangeable, like a real-life Duplo set.

Kia said it will reveal more details about the PV5, as well as a new model, at its Kia EV Day in Spain later this month. A heavy camouflaged PV5 was spotted by Electrek earlier this month in the US.