Kia has announced the pricing for its first electric PV5 van, with the five-seater Passenger version set to start at £32,995 (approximately $44,000) in the UK. The company has also confirmed that preorders will open on May 1st, with initial deliveries expected to take place in late 2025.

The PV5 van will come in two trim levels: the base "Essential" package and the "Plus" version, which comes standard with a long-range battery. The standard range 51.5kWh battery provides a range of 149 miles on a single charge, based on the European WLTP specification, while the long-range 71.5kWh pack offers 249 miles of range. Kia has not yet revealed pricing for the larger battery.

The "Plus" trim level upgrades the Essential's 16-inch steel wheels to alloy ones and adds an optional heat pump. It also includes a range of features such as heated front seats with power adjustments, a heated steering wheel, a powered tailgate, Vehicle-to-Load AC outlet adapter support, wireless phone charging, and safety additions like cross-traffic collision avoidance and power-folding mirrors.

Kia has stated that it is keeping options "simple and straightforward," meaning customers cannot select features between the two trims beyond upgrading the standard white paint to a premium option like "Cityscape Green" or "Runway Red."

The PV5 is part of Kia's lineup of all-electric PBVs (Platform Beyond Vehicle), which were introduced at CES in 2024. These modular EVs have a flexible architecture that allows the bodies to be swapped into a minivan, a full-sized van, or a small truck, depending on needs. The larger PV7 is expected to arrive in 2027, followed by the PV9 in 2029.

In terms of performance, both batteries get a single electric motor with a maximum output of 120kW for the long range. The PV5's 400-volt E-GMP.S architecture offers up to 150kW charging, which Kia claims can charge from 10 to 80 percent in under 30 minutes.

Kia plans to offer the PV5 in commercial Cargo, Crew, and Chassis Cab versions in 2026, when it starts shipping the vehicle to additional markets. The automaker intends for the PV5 to be used in fleets for deliveries and ride-hailing, with Uber already signed on as Kia's first customer.

The launch of the PV5 marks a significant step for Kia in its transition to electric vehicles, and the company's focus on fleet sales could help drive adoption of EVs in the commercial sector. As the electric vehicle market continues to grow, Kia's PBV platform is likely to play an important role in shaping the future of transportation.