Kia has revealed the PV5 Chassis Cab at Solutrans 2025 in Lyon, France.
Built on Kia’s E-GMP.S architecture it’s the company’s first dedicated electric chassis cab. The PV5 Chassis Cab has been designed from the ground up for flexibility with the sub-5m model getting a payload of up to 1,065kg and a cargo volume of up to 8 cu m when fitted with a High Box body.
Kia says it matches the practicality of larger D-segment vans, but retaining the tight 5.5-metre turning circle of the PV5 Cargo van and the PV5 Passenger. It is also the only chassis cab in the C segment below 5m.
Speaking ahead of it launch, Sjoerd Knipping, COO of Kia Europe, told Van Reviewer: "The PV5 Chassis cab is a foundation for possibilities, engineered for customisation. Perfect for tailored conversions, whether configured as a box van or beyond, this van meet any customer needs."
Developed in partnership with European converters, the PV5 Chassis Cab has been engineered to accommodate a wide variety of professional conversions including dropside, tippers, refrigerated and box vans.
Knipping said: “We worked closely with converters, fleet managers, and businesses to make the PV5 Chassis Cab a foundation for all possibilities. It allows customers to create the utility vehicle they need today while being ready for tomorrow’s demands.”
The PV5 Chassis Cab will be available with two battery options: a 51.5-kWh battery at launch and a long-range 71.2-kWh unit from 2026.
The PV5 range will vary depending on conversion, but the recently launched PV5 L2H1 Cargo has a claimed range of up to 297km with the standard battery and 416kilometres with the larger battery pack. However, if you drive it really carefully like we did, you can get nearly 700km from a PV5 and a Guinness World Record.
Like the van, the PV5 Chassis will have DC fast charging up to 150kW, which enables a 10–80% top-up in about 30 minutes. It also gets the full range of standard safety systems including Smart Cruise Control, Lane Following Assist 2, Lane Keeping Assist, and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist.
Demonstrating the chassis cab, Kia produced a PV5 food truck for use at the show.
Marc Hedrich, president and CEO of Kia Europe, said: “The launch of the PV5 Chassis Cab underscores our commitment to redefining what a light commercial vehicle can be. It combines compact efficiency with the carrying capacity of larger vans to offer customers across Europe a responsible, flexible solution for daily operations.”
The PV5 Chassis Cab is covered by Kia’s seven-year, 150,000-kilometre warranty, which can be extended to 260,000 kilometres, with the battery separately covered for eight years.
Kia also used Solutrans 2025 to introduce its new “Kia Business Solutions Ecosystem”, an integrated platform that connects vehicle, charging, and data services into one environment for business users.
The system is said to bring together four key pillars: Drive, Charge, Connect and Work.
Pablo Martinez Masip, VP product and marketing of Kia Europe and COO of Kia Connect Europe, said: “The Kia Business Solutions Ecosystem extends far beyond the vehicle. It connects every touchpoint, starting at purchase and flowing through to charging and digital insights to help businesses manage their fleets more intelligently.”
Through the Drive element, the PV5’s Android OS infotainment system provides AI assistance, over-the-air updates, and access to the forthcoming PLEOS App Market for business applications.
Kia Drive Business complements this with on-demand rental and replacement vehicle options across eight European markets.
The Charge service gives access to over one million charging points across 30 countries via Kia Charge Business, while Connect integrates the Kia PLEOS Fleet and Fleet API platforms to deliver smart, data-driven fleet management.
The Work element ties these together in one secure portal, allowing operators to manage users, vehicles, and ecosystem services in just a few clicks.
Kia’s show stand at Solutrans 2025 also includes the world-record-holding PV5 Cargo Long Range, which achieved the Guinness World Records title for “The greatest distance travelled by a light-duty battery-powered electric van with maximum payload on a single charge.”
The van covered 693.38 kilometres with a full 665kg payload.
The Kia PV5 is in contention for the International Van of the Year award and is shortlisted against the Farizon SV, Volkswagen Transporter, VW Crafter, MAN TGE, Ford E-Transit Courier, Ford E-Transit and Ford Transit Connect PHEV.
The winner will be revealed on the evening of Wednesday 19 November at the Solutrans Gala. Find out who won here.
