Lyon, France – At SOLUTRANS 2025, Europe’s leading trade show for commercial vehicle innovation, Kia unveiled the PV5 Chassis Cab, marking a significant leap in its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) strategy. The PV5 is Kia’s first fully electric dedicated chassis cab, designed to merge modular versatility, urban agility, and European-focused adaptability for professional customers.
Compact, Capable, and Conversion-Ready
Built on Kia’s PBV-dedicated E-GMP.S (Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service), the PV5 Chassis Cab delivers impressive payloads of up to 1,005 kilograms* and cargo space of up to eight cubic metres, all within a sub-five-metre footprint. With a tight 5.5-metre turning radius, it combines the practicality of larger D-segment vans with the manoeuvrability required in busy urban centres.
“The launch of the PV5 Chassis Cab underscores our commitment to redefining what a light commercial vehicle can be,” said Marc Hedrich, President and CEO of Kia Europe. “It combines compact efficiency with the carrying capacity of larger vans to offer customers across Europe a responsible, flexible solution for daily operations.”
Collaboration at the Core
Co-developed with European converters, the PV5 Chassis Cab supports a wide range of professional applications, from construction and municipal services to e-commerce logistics and refrigerated transport. To demonstrate its versatility, Kia presented a PV5 food truck at SOLUTRANS, serving specialty coffee and Lyon’s famous brioches aux pralines roses.
“We worked closely with converters, fleet managers, and businesses to make the PV5 Chassis Cab a foundation for all possibilities,” said Sjoerd Knipping, COO of Kia Europe. “It allows customers to create the utility vehicle they need today while being ready for tomorrow’s demands.”
Engineered for Maximum Uptime
The PV5 Chassis Cab is offered with two battery options: a 51.5-kWh unit available at launch and a 71.2-kWh long-range option arriving in 2026. DC fast charging of up to 150 kW enables a 10 to 80 per cent recharge in roughly 30 minutes, while AC charging at 22 kW will be available later. Safety and driver assistance are equally robust, with a dual-annular steel exoskeleton, rear underrun protection, and a suite of ADAS features including Smart Cruise Control, Lane Following Assist 2, Lane Keeping Assist, and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist.
Kia backs the PV5 Chassis Cab with an industry-leading seven-year/150,000-kilometre warranty, extendable up to 260,000 kilometres, with separate eight-year coverage for the battery.
The Kia Business Solutions Ecosystem: Beyond the Vehicle
Kia also introduced the Business Solutions Ecosystem, a unified platform integrating connectivity, charging, fleet management, and business support services. Built around four pillars – DRIVE, CHARGE, CONNECT, and WORK – the ecosystem is designed to keep fleets operational, efficient, and connected.
- DRIVE: A fully connected Android OS infotainment system with AI Assistant, OTA updates, and a 12.9-inch touchscreen interface. Kia Drive for Business offers daily or monthly rentals, ensuring uninterrupted operations across more than 150 locations in eight European markets.
- CHARGE: Access to over one million AC, DC, and high-power charging points across 30+ European countries, with home and depot charging solutions coordinated through a Europe-wide partner network.
- CONNECT: Multi-brand fleet management with Kia | PLEOS Fleet and Fleet API, covering administration, reporting, charging, routing, maintenance, safety, and compliance. Business Mode in the Kia App allows fleet managers to oversee up to five vehicles on one platform.
- WORK: A single portal for onboarding, assigning user roles, and managing services, streamlining operations for connected and non-connected fleets alike.
Award-Winning Performance and Record-Breaking Efficiency
Since its launch, the PV5 has earned numerous accolades, including ‘One to Watch’ at the 2025 What Van? Awards, The Sun’s ‘Van of the Year’ 2025, and most recently, ‘Best Electric Van’ and ‘Van of the Year’ at the 2026 Parkers Van and Pickup Awards. Notably, the PV5 Cargo Long Range variant set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for “The greatest distance travelled by a light-duty battery-powered electric van with maximum payload on a single charge,” covering 693.38 kilometres on a 71.2-kWh battery with full payload.
Experience Kia PBV at SOLUTRANS 2025
Attendees can explore the full PBV range, including the world-record-holding PV5 and the Chassis Cab variant, at Kia Europe’s exhibition in Hall 5, C130, from 18 to 22 November. Visitors will also experience the integrated Business Solutions Ecosystem, including PBV Charging, Kia Drive for Business, Kia Connect, and Android Automotive OS infotainment.
With the PV5 Chassis Cab, Kia is not just electrifying light commercial vehicles – it’s redefining what they can achieve, both on the road and beyond.
