Kia will add a new large van model to complete its forthcoming range of electric vans.
The Kia PV9 will be the biggest in a new range of vans, starting with the Kia PV5, which was officially unveiled this week.
Previously, Kia has announced plans for a range of vans with PV5 and PV7 vans confirmed, as well as a smaller PV1 version - depending on the success of the range. However, at the Kia EV Day 2025, two silhouetted van models appeared on screen alongside variants of the PV5.
While Kia's intention to launch a larger PV7 version based on the same E-GMP.S electric skateboard chassis has already been made clear at the initial Kia van range launch at CES in 2024, the new Kia PV9 model shows the brand's evolving LCV strategy.
"Every two years we are going to launch a new product, 2025, 2027 and 2029 for the PV9," Sangdae Kim, head of PBV Division, Kia Corporation told Van Reviewer.
With the Kia PV5 van weight confirmed at a GVW of 2.7 tonnes, and the PV7 likely to weigh in at up to 3.5 tonnes, there's still room for the PV9 to come in at the 4.25 tonne weight allowed under derogation in Europe for large electric vans.
Since revealing the PV5 and its intention to launch PV7 by 2027, Kia has been talking extensively to fleets, learning about the market and its requirements. While a great deal of focus has been placed on the passenger version, Kia sees huge opportunity for the PV5 Cargo, especially in Europe where it hopes to attract fleet, SME and owner-driver customers with its van range.
"We had some requests, and the market is changing; we are allowed to be bigger and a bit heavier. That requires some new versions, and therefore this [PV9] is the new activity that we get,” explains Pierre-Martin Bos, director PBV, Kia Europe.
“I think it is important to see that there is this reaction, obviously it takes time to develop, but the E-GMP.S [platform] can hopefully adapt to these three silhouettes,” Bos adds.
