► First converted version of Kia PV5 spied
► Panel van already revealed
► All versions set to go on sale late 2025
The Kia PV5 electric van has been spotted testing in chassis cab format – in the first of what will likely be many different versions. The PV5 panel van has been revealed in full already, but that is set to be only the tip of the iceberg for Kia’s first electric commercial vehicle.
Kia has been open about the fact that the PV5 will offer the opportunity for buyers to create all different varieties of conversions, as is often the case with commercial vehicles. Our spy photographers have spotted what appears to be a tipper – an open-top rear loading bay that turns a van into something similar to a single-cab pick-up truck.
Our new spyshots from the Arctic Circle show the Kia’s front end heavily disguised, but seemingly still offering the large glassware and smart upper half. The lower half of the body is designed to be more robust, with features such as black plastic cladding around the wheelarches and a bumper that features individual parts that can be replaced separately to cut repair costs.
The visibility continues with a large window in the place of the solid bulkhead that would usually divide the cabin from the loading bay, allowing drivers to see behind them and keep an eye on what is in the rear. The chassis cab also features a rack to protect said window from any large items that might move around in the rear.
The rear lights appear to be a different design to the high-up vertical style on the new van and are instead sited low down below the tipper. They still adopt the same high-tech, slimline design treatment thanks to LED technology.
The PV5 cargo version (above) shows the styling bound for the whole range of Kia electric vans.
Conversions are critical to success
Having a range of conversions will be crucial to Kia’s success in the commercial vehicle market, as a large percentage of vans head out to buyers with some sort of modification. This could be as simple as a set of shelving or racking in the back of a panel van, or it could be as elaborate as a refrigeration unit or an illuminated billboard.
Plenty of these conversions are carried out by third-party specialists, with the brand supplying a chassis cab with just the front part and a bare rear end that can be built on. However, many manufacturers also offer their own inhouse conversions. Tippers, which have a loading bed that can be raised by hydraulic struts, are a popular option, as are dropside vans, which tend to have a fixed bed but with a side that can be flipped down to access the load.
These spyshots suggest that Kia is considering its own range of inhouse conversions. This offers benefits as it means customers can get their vehicles quicker and still have them covered by the manufacturer’s own warranty. Kia has already confirmed that its vans will come with the same seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty as its passenger cars, which would be one of the best on offer in the van world.
The Kia PV5 is set to make its UK debut at the CV Show in April 2025 before going on sale around the end of the year.