Kia and Motability Operations, the company behind the UK’s Motability Scheme, have signed a memorandum of understanding to co-develop an affordable, fully electric Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) for the UK market. The first side-entry model is scheduled for launch in late 2026.
Under the partnership, Kia will design, build, and sell the WAV based on its upcoming Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) architecture. Motability Operations will contribute insights from its experience serving disabled drivers and passengers in the UK, helping to guide the vehicle’s development and ensure it meets accessibility requirements.
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Kia’s first PBV model, the PV5, will be introduced under the Motability Scheme as a passenger vehicle, with a locally converted WAV variant planned for the first half of 2026 and a factory-built PV5 WAV to follow later that year.
Beyond the vehicle itself, the collaboration will also focus on charging infrastructure suited to accessibility needs. Both companies plan to explore smart charging solutions that automatically schedule charging during low-tariff periods to reduce costs for users, as well as advanced technologies such as Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) to lower overall running expenses and support energy sustainability.
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Kia President Ho Sung Song said the partnership underscores the company’s vision as a “Sustainable Mobility Solutions Provider,” highlighting the role of the PV5 WAV in promoting inclusive mobility. Motability Operations CEO Andrew Miller added that the collaboration represents an important step toward ensuring disabled people’s access to affordable, purpose-built electric vehicles during the industry’s transition to electrification.