CES 2024: All-new Kia PV5 electric ute and van break cover

Kia has revealed how it plans to dominate the all-electric light-commercial vehicle sector from 2025 onwards, unveiling three all-new EV model lines based on a modular Purpose Built Vehicle (PBV) platform – including the 2025 Kia PV5 ute, van and people-mover.

Revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas overnight, the new fleet of commercial vehicles – starting with the PV5, the smaller PV1 and the flagship PV7 – will be launched in global markets from 2025.

Significantly, the PV5 could pave the way for an affordable lifestyle ute and recreational vehicle for the South Korean brand, potentially offering different configurations for owners if the CES concept stays true to form into production.

The PV5 debuts Kia’s ‘Easy Swap’ technology that uses standardised electromagnetic and mechanical couplings that could see the same cab-chassis operate as a ute or van during the day, switching to a people-mover in the evening for ride-hail work and then switching again to a camper on the weekend.

With a modular construction, the bodies are built out of tubular steel and composite panels that reduce the parts count by as much as 55 per cent without compromising rigidity, according to Kia.

The people-mover version of the PV5 is said to be tall enough for passengers to stand inside, while the high-roof van has a walk-through cargo area, making it perfect as a delivery van.

The PV5 and PV1 are also being developed as robotaxis, possibly in partnership with Croatian hypercar-maker Rimac, which recently announced it’s being funded by the Korean brand to develop driverless tech for a ride-hail service.

Measuring in at 4.7m long, with the option of a longer wheelbase later, the PV5 has been tipped to be priced from around €35,000 ($A57,000) when it arrives in Europe.

Front-wheel drive only at this stage, the Kia van and ute will miss out of the Kia EV6’s 800-volt electrical architecture and instead make do with a 400-volt system that will see it charge at lower rates than the passenger car range.

It’s possible the PBV modular platform could underpin the forthcoming all-electric version of the Kia Tasman ute that’s due to launch in 2026, however the PV5 pick-up is more of an on-road-oriented vehicle than the harder-core Tasman that’ll be initially launched with diesel powertrains next year.

Meanwhile, the PV1 is designed for use as a small urban delivery vehicle and the PV7 will match EV versions of the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

The flagship PV7 will be around 5.7m long and is due to arrive in 2027. When it rocks up it will come with the option of a dual-motor powertrain and all-wheel drive and get an 800-volt electrical architecture for the fastest charging.

Despite their futuristic looks, it’s been tipped that the three PV models will reach production almost unchanged from the show vans.

Inside, there’s a cab-style arrangement that includes configurability into a mobile office.

Artificial intelligence (AI), car-like levels of connectivity and pioneering driverless tech – including highly autonomous Level 4 capability for the PV5 – should ensure the new Kia range of commercial vehicles will be the most advanced vans on the global market.

While back-end configurations will be tailormade to customer needs, the entry-level vans will come with an integrated rail system from floor to ceiling.

The PV family of all-electric Kia LCVs will be produced in a new Korean factory that will be operational from 2025. The PV5 is set to roll off the line first, with initial capacity pegged at 150,000 units a year.

As well as developing the new range of electric vans, Kia says it is also working to integrate robotics into its commercial vehicles that could load and unload the van and complete the final part of a parcel’s delivery from van to your door.