Kia Rental adds PV5 to its fleet so that businesses can try the new electric van before they buy
Kia has added the PV5 to its dealer-operated rental programme, giving businesses a way to trial the electric van before committing to an order.
The PV5 is now available through Kia Rental, with businesses able to hire the van from one day to more than a month.
Kia says the service is aimed at companies that want to test whether the PV5 fits their operation, as well as those that only need a van occasionally.
Read our Kia PV5 Cargo review
That could include businesses needing short-term capacity for events, seasonal work or temporary delivery demand.
The Kia Rental programme has been running through the dealer network for 14 years, but the addition of the PV5 gives it a new role in supporting its move into light commercial vehicles.
Kia said 20 rental locations had already added the PV5 to their rental fleets during Q1, with another four expected to go live shortly.
Those locations sold more than 2,000 Kia PV5 rental days during the first quarter.
The rental fleet has also been used to support Kia’s sales operation, helping get demonstration vehicles to potential customers quickly - particularly important for larger fleets, where the buying process usually takes longer and operators often want extended trials before placing orders.
Kia said the PV5 has already attracted interest from public sector and corporate customers, including Scottish Power and Equans.
Kia's early PV5 sales have been led by smaller businesses, local fleets and sole traders, but Kia expects larger fleet volumes to grow as more operators complete trials and assess charging requirements.
Read our Kia PV5 Passenger review
The rental programme also links ties in with Kia’s PBV aftersales offer, ensuring that PV5 customers with an off-road issue be be provided with alternative mobility without waiting for prior approval.
That could include using vehicles from the Kia Rental fleet, external hire or financial support towards a more suitable specialist replacement vehicle.
The addition of PV5 to Kia Rental gives operators a practical way to test the van's range and charging, as well as payload and driver acceptance in real working conditions.
