Kia Corporation introduced the PV5 at the 2025 Kia EV Day in Tarragona, Spain. As the first production model under Kia’s dedicated Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) strategy, the PV5 redefines mobility with a modular approach that offers exceptional adaptability.
A New Era of Versatile Electric Vans
The PV5 is available in three body styles—Passenger, Cargo, and Chassis Cab—designed to meet the diverse needs of businesses and individuals alike. Built on Kia’s advanced E-GMP.S platform, a dedicated battery-electric skateboard architecture, the PV5 allows for a flexible mix of vehicle bodies, streamlining production while enhancing customization.
At the heart of this platform is the Integrated Modular Architecture (IMA), which standardizes key components like batteries and motors. This approach optimizes development, lowers costs, and boosts efficiency, making the PV5 highly competitive in the growing PBV segment.
Flexible Design for a Wide Range of Uses
The E-GMP.S platform’s skateboard structure enables a variety of upper-body designs, allowing Kia to develop PBVs in multiple sizes. Complementing this, Kia’s Flexible Body System uses modular components for easy customization, similar to assembling a puzzle. Standard configurations include Passenger, Cargo, Chassis-Cab, WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle), and Family models, while conversion options extend to Crew, Drop Side, Box Van, Freezer Box, Prime (an enhanced Passenger model), and Light Camper versions.
Cutting-Edge Features and Smart Manufacturing
Leveraging its expertise in electric mobility, Kia integrates advanced electrification technologies into PBVs to maximize efficiency and reduce downtime. Robust warranties and predictive maintenance services further enhance the ownership experience, using real-time vehicle data to minimize unexpected service interruptions.
Kia has also established a dedicated EVO Plant to produce PBVs with a flexible, high-efficiency manufacturing process that combines conveyor and cell-based production. To support further customization, Kia will operate a conversion center, enabling tailored vehicle modifications while maintaining high quality and cost efficiency.
Expanding the PBV Ecosystem
Kia is working with global partners, including BraunAbility and software firms like 42dot and Samsung Electronics, to expand the PBV platform. The company’s PBVs will feature an Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS)-based infotainment system, offering business customers a seamless in-vehicle digital experience.
A key partnership with Samsung Electronics extends the SmartThings Pro IoT platform to Kia PBVs, allowing business users to integrate their vehicles into a broader workplace-connected environment. This collaboration reinforces Kia’s commitment to delivering a fully connected ecosystem that enhances productivity and efficiency.
By blending advanced electric mobility with a highly adaptable platform, Kia is setting new standards in the commercial vehicle segment, creating solutions that cater to modern business needs.
