Kia’s momentum in the electric commercial vehicle space continues to build, with the Kia PV5 crowned ‘Van to Watch’ at the 2026 Company Car & Van Awards, announced today, 19 January 2026. The latest accolade adds to a rapidly growing honours list for the brand’s first dedicated electric ‘Platform Beyond Vehicle’ (PBV), following its recent win as 2026 International Van of the Year.
Awarded for its potential to disrupt the light commercial vehicle market, the ‘Van to Watch’ title recognises vehicles that combine innovation, value and real-world relevance for fleet and business users. Judges singled out the PV5 for its distinctive design, intelligent packaging and, crucially, its competitive pricing, a rare combination in the fast-evolving electric van segment.
Andrew Walker, Editor of Company Car & Van, praised Kia’s debut in the sector:
“Clever Kia has launched a small electric van into a sector that’s completely new to them and it would seem to have hit it out of the park. Cute looks, a clever interior, competitive load space and a decent driving range tick all the right boxes. Most importantly, it’s attractively priced which is where we believe it has an advantage. The ‘Van to Watch’ this year is the Kia PV5.”
Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia UK Limited, said the award underlines the strong early response to the PV5:
“Winning ‘Van to Watch’ at the Company Car & Van Awards further builds on the tremendous start we’ve already enjoyed with PV5 and helps reflect its great potential in the commercial vehicle market. We are delighted to see high demand for all variants of the PV5 since pre-orders began at the CV Show in April last year, and, since the end of 2025, we have been proud to deliver the first examples to customers.”
Kia PV5 Cargo: setting new benchmarks
At the heart of the range is the Kia PV5 Cargo, which sets new standards for performance, flexibility and usability in the UK electric van market. Customers can choose between two trim levels, the entry-level Essential and the range-topping Plus, alongside a choice of Standard Range 51.5kWh or Long Range 71.2kWh battery packs.
The PV5 represents Kia’s first step into the PBV era and signals the brand’s ambition to mirror its passenger car success in the electric light commercial vehicle sector. That ambition is already translating into tangible results. The PV5 Cargo has not only secured the International Van of the Year 2026 title, but also claimed a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ achievement for the longest distance travelled by an electric van on a single charge with a full payload. Covering 430.84 miles (693.38km) at its maximum gross vehicle weight of 2,650kg, the record underlines the PV5’s real-world capability.
Competitive pricing and long-term reassurance
All PV5 variants are keenly priced, with the PV5 Cargo starting from £27,645 (+VAT). With the Government’s Plug-in Van Grant reducing the cost by £5,000, the PV5 delivers a compelling ownership proposition for businesses transitioning to electric fleets.
Every model is backed by Kia’s industry-leading seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, with the high-voltage battery covered for eight years, offering long-term peace of mind alongside low running costs.
What’s next for Kia PBVs
The PV5 is just the beginning. Additional PV5 Cargo configurations, including larger and smaller variants, will arrive later this year. Looking further ahead, Kia’s PBV roadmap continues with the PV7 launching in 2027 and the flagship PV9 in 2029, reinforcing the brand’s long-term commitment to the electric commercial vehicle market.
The Kia PV5 is available to order now in both Cargo and Passenger form through Kia’s new PBV Centre network, marking a confident and award-winning entry into a sector poised for rapid transformation.
