Kia Reveals Modular EV Van Lineup at CES That Will Hit the Road in 2025

• Kia is breaking into the commercial van segment with a trio of electric cargo carriers, revealed at CES (formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas.

• Production of the first van, the PV5, will begin in 2025 in South Korea. It will come with a variety of bodies, from a cargo van to a robotaxi.

• The PV5 will later be joined by a tiny PV1, designed for narrow city streets, and a larger PV7, both of which sport similar smooth bodywork to the PV5's.

The commercial-van market has long been dominated by Ford, Chevrolet, and Ram, but Kia aims to shake up the game with its Platform Beyond Vehicle division. Introduced at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show, the new business is previewed by three electric concepts and has grandiose visions of "revolutionizing the mobility industry" and advancing parent company Hyundai Motor Group's goals in "robotics, Advanced Air Mobility, and autonomous driving."

Standardized 'Life Modules' Change Van's Role

The central idea is a single chassis that will be adaptable to fit a variety of mobility needs. The driver's cockpit will sit ahead of interchangeable bodies, which Kia calls "life modules." The bodies will be connected to the vehicle's base platform via a hybrid electromagnetic and mechanical coupling technology, allowing the vehicle, for example, to swap from a taxi to a delivery van and even into a personal vehicle for the weekends.

The life modules will be "shipped in standardized, convenient kit form," Kia says, so that changing bodies in the field will be a quick and intuitive process. Kia is planning a three-phase approach for its PBV business, and the first step is only a few years away, when a production version of the Concept PV5 will arrive.

Five Versions Are Coming

Designed for ride-hailing and delivery services, the PV5 will employ software and data connectivity to allow for easy management of a large fleet of vehicles. The PV5 features a smooth look and large doors that reveal a pillarless cargo hold that makes the most of its space with a lengthy wheelbase and flat floor. Five versions of the PV5 will be offered when it goes into production: Basic, Van, High Roof, Robotaxi, and Chassis Cab.

Although all based on the same chassis, each PV5 serves a unique purpose. The PV5 Basic features wide double doors and three rows of seating, and some images show seats that fold upward to provide room for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The Van model, meanwhile, focuses on cargo transport with enough space for an adult to stand upright inside. The High Roof version takes this further with even more headroom, and the cabin converts into a mobile office with a desk space and a steering wheel that folds upwards into a lamp.