Kia to launch Professional Business Van division with PV5 electric van this spring

Kia will launch its commercial fleet focused Professional Business Vans UK division when the new PV5 electric van goes on sale later this year.

The PV5 is Kia’s first fully electric van and the Korean brand’s full range of models have only been shown in concept form so far (pictured above).

However, the first production version will be revealed this spring at the CV Show on April 29.

Kia will set out its stall for UK fleets with its new PBV business at the end of April and will share further detailed information about its new electric van line-up too.

PBV will spearhead Kia’s first foray into the commercial vehicle market and the name will denote the brand’s van focussed dealerships across the UK.

Kia is only previewing the production version with a silhouette image (below), but it looks fairly similar to the PV5 concepts that debuted at the IAA Transportation show in Hannover in September last year.

More specific details about the PV5 are expected to be revealed at the CV Show, but Kia has already confirmed its intentions to expand beyond this first model to a larger PV7 electric van, as well as a compact PV1 urban van.

The PV5 and beyond

As Kia is aiming the new PV5 at the delivery, utilities and ride hailing sectors and will be available in panel van, chassis cab and passenger variants.

The PV5 is built on a dedicated EV platform and will only be available as an all-electric model.

Kia says the chassis cab is particularly unusual in the mid-size van market and “offers further scope for diverse customer needs and customisation”.

Every Kia PBV product will come with a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty as standard. 

All PBV models will also come with Geotab telematics technology as standard, including native access to the Android App store on the van’s central display.

Kia partnered with Geotab provide fleet management solutions last year in a deal specifically geared up to help the Korean manufacturer prepare to launch in to the UK commercial fleet market.

Paul Philpott, president and chief executive of Kia UK, said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for Kia, as we build an entirely new commercial business to deliver world-class electric vans to UK customers.

“Our first electric van, the PV5, arrives at an important time for the UK, amid an unprecedented transition towards electric power across both the car and van markets. “Our strategy is to approach the market confidently but responsibly, launching in a phased and progressive manner to ensure each element of our commercial vehicle business is exacted with the same industry-leading standards we’re known for in the passenger car industry.

“This will cover dealer sales excellence, customer care, service and experience.”