Van Drivers - why the new Kia PV5 could your perfect all-electric LCV in 2025

Could the new Kia PV5 be the perfect all-electric LCV in 2025 for Van Drivers?

While electric cars are well underway in the UK (contributing to nearly 25% of the registrations in June) the world of small vans and LCVs are still very much an ongoing project for many automotive manufacturers.

While big businesses and more robust companies are electrifying their fleets, the sole traders and SMEs are still not adopting BEVs in the same volume as their car alternatives. Commercial vehicles are by very nature a different beast to cars; vehicle length, width, loading capacity and configuration / accessories are fundamental to making this an effective tool within your business.

As vans need to have the size and payload, there are obvious concerns about the underlying vehicle costs in manufacturing these products. Some of the earlier innovations were launching with eye-watering £60,000 - £100,000 price tags. Regardless of fuel savings and driver-experience, this price tag just isn’t going to cut it with many of the smaller enterprise operating in the UK.

When you add some of the minor obstacles to electrification, such as public charging network, range restrictions (especially with payloads), insurance costs and the availability of home chargers, these all do need to be addressed as part of the analysis.

To help combat one of these obstacles, the Department for Transport has confirmed that £63 million will be made available to the charging infrastructure network, The Government are utilising this money to boost charging investment in the UK and breakdown barriers to EV ownership / usership, which will cut charging costs for families, businesses and the public sector.

The money will be utilised to supplement the £400m investment into the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate updates to kickstart economic growth and “put more money in people’s pockets “under the Plan for Change. The latest package will include a £25 million scheme for local authorities to expand on the “cheaper at home charging” by helping those households without driveways to power up their electric cars or vans.

This will utilise new cross-pavement technology which allows a vehicle to essentially charge at the kerb side. The charging cables will essentially run under or within the pavement, so that the vehicle can charge outside the home without the need for a drive. In doing so, they can access the domestic charging rates for EVs, especially the cheaper overnight tariffs which make the move into BEVs so logical.

Cheaper charging isn’t just about the car drivers of the UK; van operators and SMEs are also watching their monthly expenditure and costs. Running your business is tough enough without having to constantly worry about the rising costs of petrol and diesel.

Introducing the Kia PV5 electric Van Lease Offer

So when Kia decided to join the van market, launching their PV5 Cargo in conjunction with the EV4 and EV5 SUV, the options for the UK’s small businesses just got a little bigger.. While pre-ordering launched 1 May 2025, the PV5 Cargo only went live on the Kia manufacturer website on July 2025. Called the “Ground of Innovation” the Kia group are bringing a van with 419mm rear step height, 4 - 5.1m3 cargo volume and a 7-year 150,000km warranty.

Built on a E-GMP.S (Electric Global Modular Platform for Service) this is a designated advanced EV platform allowing for modular flexibility and structural safety. With design that delivers, the PV5 is focused on space-saving ideas, load practicality and striking aesthetics. In addition, with OTA updates, integrated fleet management systems and a whole host of safety features, this is the next-generation of electric vans.

The van will launch in two specifications including:

•  Essential - 2-seat layout, 16” wheels, automatic headlights, LED headlights, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, rain sensing wipers, start/stop button, air conditioning, wireless Apple CarPlay, front/rear parking sensors, forward-collision avoidance, smart key, Thatcham Cat 1 alarm, lane keep assist, high driving assist, OTA, 12.9” screen, 7.5” driver display and navigation; and 

•  Plus - this adds V2L, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, wireless phone charger, electrically folding mirror, rear cross traffic alert and safe exit warning. Additional options include the heat pump (£640 plus Vat) and the dual manual sliding doors (£355 plus Vat).

Two battery versions of the Kia PV5 Cargo will launch including:

•  FWD SR - this standard range option will have a 51.5 kWh battery and offer 90kW via the single motor, utilises a 400V charging infrastructure, capable of 7 hour charging on a 7kW AC unit and around 20-25 minutes for a rapid charging session for 10 - 80% on a 150kW charge point. This van is set to offer around 180 miles of range. The van delivers 16.3 sec 0 - 62 times, 84mph top speeds, has a 4.4m(cubed) cargo volume and has a 790kg payload. This van can tow 450kg (braked). Service intervals are every 24 months or 20,000 miles (whichever lands sooner); and       

• FWD LR - this long-range option will have 71.2 kWh battery and offer 120kW via the single motor, utilises a 400V charging infrastructure, capable of 10 hour charging on a 7kW AC unit and around 30 minutes for a rapid charging session for 10 - 80% on a 150kW charge point. This van is set to offer around 247 miles of range. The van delivers 12.5 sec 0 - 62 times, 84mph top speeds, has a 4.4m(cubed) cargo volume and has a 690kg payload. This van can tow 750kg (braked). Service intervals are every 24 months or 20,000 miles (whichever lands sooner).

Need more help and advice on your new PV5 Van for 2025?

Head to the Kia brand website to build your perfect option or just get in touch with our expert team on 01942 910 001 or by emailing us at [email protected]