First foray into commercial EVs

Kia has announced its all-electric PV5 Van will be available in New Zealand before the end of September and come with a starting price tag of $64,990 plus on-road costs.

The first PV5 Van confirmed for local showrooms is the Cargo Five-Door, arriving in the third quarter, with Six-Door variants available for an extra $500.

The Passenger Seven-Seat is set to follow this year and the Cargo High Roof, in a five or six-door configuration, in the first quarter of 2027. Pricing for those variants will be announced closer to launch.

Todd McDonald, managing director of Kia New Zealand, says: “With the widest EV range in the passenger and SUV segment, it made sense for the natural progression of our range to enter the commercial market.

“The PV5 is the first step to our multi-step strategy of bringing in electric vans to suit Kiwi needs, with PV7 and PV9 expected in the next few years.  

“There is something hugely appealing about a stylish, functional and massively versatile vehicle that can cover off a whole range of requirements – all with zero tailpipe emissions.”

McDonald adds there has been interest in the new model from traditional trade and commercial customers, as well as people seeking a vehicle with “enhanced space, practical features and considered appointments, as well as the appeal of a full-electric powertrain”.

The PV5 Van’s power is generated by a 120kW front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 250Nm, fed by a 71.2kWh NCM battery that can charge from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in 30-minutes.

Fully charged, the vehicle has a range of 416km WLTP.

McDonald adds: “We are one of the first manufacturers to offer a 22kW charger as an additional option for businesses to cut down charge times, preserve the health of their batteries and keep them moving for longer.”

Technological developments extend to the cabin environment, including a 12.9-inch satellite navigation display, wireless phone charging, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, all of which are integrated via Kia Connect and over-the-air updates. 

Safety features include forward collision avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, smart cruise control with stop and go, and blind-spot collision avoidance assist.

The PV5 has 4420 litres of cargo space that is complemented by a 690kg payload. Its overall dimensions are 4495mm long, 1895mm wide and 1899mm tall, riding on a 2995mm wheelbase. 

It also comes with a seven-year manufacturing warranty and two-year/ 30,000km servicing schedule.