The Kia PV5 battery, range and charging speeds are amongst the best in the small to medium van segment.
We'll look at the charge times for the PV5 van and passenger, the speed at which is charges, and the overall battery capacity of the PV5.
The Kia PV5 is the Korean brand’s first fully electric van, and it’s designed to slot into the growing mid-size electric commercial vehicle segment. Available in both Passenger and Cargo (L2H1) versions, the PV5 offers several battery choices and fast charging times, all based on Kia’s 400-volt EV platform.
In this guide we'll look at all the important information around battery, range and charging. All of which will apply to the Kia PV5 Cargo and the Kia PV5 Passenger.
Official WLTP range figures have not yet been finalised for every UK model, but Kia estimates up to 247 miles for the 71.2 kWh long-range variant under mixed driving conditions.
The 51.5 kWh version is expected to achieve around 180–200 miles, while the smaller 43.3 kWh pack will likely be suited to urban operations, delivering 120–150 miles on a full charge.
As with any electric van, range will vary depending on payload, weather, terrain, and driving style.
Depending on the model, the PV5 can be equipped with one of three battery packs:
The smaller 43.3 kWh battery is reserved for the Cargo L2H1 version, aimed at shorter-range city operations. Both 51.5 kWh and 71.2 kWh packs are available for Passenger and Cargo variants, giving operators flexibility to match range to workload and route profile.
All PV5 versions use a 400-volt electrical architecture, balancing cost and charging efficiency.
Charging performance is one of the Kia PV5’s strengths. On a DC rapid charger, both Passenger and Cargo versions can charge from 10–80% in under 30 minutes, making quick top-ups practical between delivery runs.
For AC charging, the PV5 supports both 11 kW and 22 kW onboard charging options. Depending on the configuration, Kia quotes the following charge durations:
Individual test data shows approximate full-charge times of 4 hours 5 minutes, 4 hours 45 minutes, and 6 hours 30 minutes for different battery configurations.
These figures make the PV5 versatile for both depot and home charging setups. For fleets with overnight charging facilities, even the largest 71.2 kWh battery can be fully replenished before the next working day.
Kia is predicting just a 1.5% payload penalty for every 100kg of weight you add to the back, so with a sull payload, you're only looking at around a 10% reduction in the total range. That's a bold claim.
Our extremely extensive testing, however, has revealed that the Kia PV5 will actually do a lot better than that. More on that soon.
For urban or regional deliveries, the PV5’s combination of rapid DC charging and practical range makes it a strong option for businesses transitioning to electric.
Fleet managers can expect the 71.2 kWh version to comfortably handle full working days without mid-shift charging, while smaller battery options cut cost and weight for shorter routes.
