Kia has nearly reached its total 2026 sales targets for PV5 just four months into the year
Kia says the PV5 has made a stronger than expected start in the UK, with the electric van already forcing the brand to raise its full-year sales plan.
The Korean brand registered 1,604 PV5 electric vehicles in the first quarter of 2026, split between 1,235 Cargo models and 369 Passenger versions.
That gave Kia an 18.5% share of the UK electric van market in Q1, making it the third largest player in the zero-emission LCV sector despite having only one van model on sale.
The result is particularly impressive as the wider electric van market remains sluggish with sales stalling as electric vans accounted for just 8.2% of all UK commercial vehicle registrations in the first quarter of the year. That's significantly behind the ZEV mandate target for vans, which has risen to 24% this year.
Kia had originally planned to sell 4,250 PV5s in the UK during 2026. However, it has already taken more than 3,750 sold orders since launch, including 2,359 in the first quarter alone.
The company has now increased its business plan for the year by more than 50%.
Simon Hetherington, commercial director at Kia UK, said the PV5’s early performance showed “a degree of bucking the trends”, with the brand already well ahead of its original expectations.
Read our Kia PV5 Cargo review
Hetherington told Van Reviewer that early PV5 Cargo sales have come from smaller businesses, local fleets and tradespeople, rather than major national fleets, but B2B business will now grow as it expands its fleet operation and adds more body styles and conversions.
Kia now has 65 PBV Centres operating across the UK, providing sales and aftersales support for its. new commercial vehicle customers. Some of the strongest performing sites registered more than 100 units individually in Q1.
As predicted before launch, the long-range battery is proving by far the most popular option. Around 92% of Cargo orders have been for the long-range battery, with buyers prioritising range over the extra payload offered by the smaller battery.
The PV5 Cargo currently qualifies for the full £5,000 Zero Emission Van Grant, while the PV5 Passenger benefits from a £1,500 electric car grant.
Despite the enormous demand, lead times are said to still be around just two months, with revised models beginning in July production that include a revised seat with lumbar, adjustable arm rest and a new Kia PV5 Cargo with three-seat option.
