Kia unveiled its first fully electric PV5 Chassis Cab at Solutrans 2025 in Lyon, marking the expansion of its PV5 light commercial vehicle range to include a driver’s cab model suitable for multiple conversions. Orders are now open in Germany.
The PV5 Chassis Cab was developed in collaboration with European conversion companies to support a variety of body types and applications, the company said. The chassis measures under five metres in length and can carry payloads of up to 1,005 kilograms with cargo volumes of up to eight cubic metres. At the trade fair, Kia showcased a food truck built on the PV5 platform.
Like the PV5 cargo and passenger versions, the chassis is built on Kia’s Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service (E-GMP.S), which forms part of the automaker’s Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) strategy. It is initially offered with a 51.5 kWh battery, while a long-range 71.2 kWh option is planned for 2026. Kia noted that the vehicle’s range will vary depending on the type of conversion, including weight, aerodynamics, and additional energy-consuming systems.
For comparison, the PV5 L2H1 Cargo variant achieves up to 297 kilometres with the standard battery and up to 416 kilometres with the long-range battery. DC charging supports up to 150 kW, enabling a 10–80% charge in around 30 minutes, while AC charging is available at 11 kW, with a 22 kW option expected later.
The chassis features a double-ring steel exoskeleton, a rear underrun protection device, and several driver-assistance systems. Conversions that can be mounted on the chassis include flatbed trucks for construction or agricultural equipment, tippers for municipal waste, panel vans for e-commerce logistics, and refrigerated vehicles for food delivery.
Kia Europe executives highlighted the vehicle’s flexibility for fleet operators. “We worked closely with converters, fleet managers, and businesses to make the PV5 Chassis Cab a foundation for all possibilities,” said Sjoerd Knipping, COO of Kia Europe. “It allows customers to create the utility vehicle they need today while being ready for tomorrow’s demands.”
Marc Hedrich, President and CEO of Kia Europe, added: “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.”
Alongside the chassis cab, Kia introduced its Business Solutions ecosystem, offering connectivity and charging services to support fleet management and electrification. The system includes Kia Charge Business Service with access to more than one million public charging points across 30 European countries, Fleet API for cross-brand fleet monitoring, and Kia Connect Push API, which provides mileage, GPS, trip history, charging status, and vehicle diagnostics.
“The Kia Business Solutions Ecosystem extends far beyond the vehicle,” said Pablo Martinez Masip, Vice President of Product & Marketing at Kia Europe and COO of Kia Connect Europe. “It connects every touchpoint, starting at purchase and flowing through to charging and digital insights to help businesses manage their fleets more intelligently.”
