Look out Toyota HiAce! Kia PV5 electric van business case looking “positive” for Australia

The prospects of Kia launching into the local van market with the groundbreaking electric PV5 are looking positive.

Officially unveiled in March, the mid-size PV5 is now officially under study for Australia and could go on-sale as soon as 2026.

And it could signal only the start of a significant Kia attack on the local commercial van market, with the PV5 the first member of the Platform Beyond Vehicles (PBV) family to enter production.

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The bigger PB7 is a couple of years away, but is also a chance for Australia.

At the moment, however, the smaller PV1 is currently ruled out because it will be built only in Europe.

“The business case is positive,” Kia Australia product chief Roland Rivero affirmed when asked about the PV5.

“Given that it’s already developed for right-hand drive UK market, the ability to turn it around for Australian Design Rules is relatively simple.”

The PV5 will face EV competition from the LDV eDeliver 7, Farizon SV, Ford e-Transit Custom and VW ID. Buzz Cargo, as well as traditional diesel fare such as the ubiquitous Toyota HiAce.

Powered by a 120kW/250Nm e-motor driving the front wheels, the PV5 is offered with battery packs up to 71.2kWh offering a claimed range around 400km.

The PV5 is 4695mm long and is offered in both standard and high roof bodies. One, two and three seat-row specifications are available with up to seven seats.

Kia currently offers no commercial vehicles, but will soon launch the Tasman ute.

The Tasman is seen as an important sales growth opportunity for Kia Australia locally, while vans could also be a substantial opportunity.

Kia has also grown its electrified presence consistently over the last few years and is one of the country’s top EV sellers.

The incoming NVES CO2 reduction scheme also encourages the expansion of EV offerings from auto brands, while transport and delivery businesses eying their own CO2 reduction commitments will be looking increasingly at EV vans over the next few years.

All of which make the PV5’s local chances look good.

“We have our hand up for PV5 as another product that can grow our range,” confirmed Rivero.

“We don’t envisage that it will be cannibalizing any of our existing products. It’s an incremental opportunity.

“And it will further bolster our light commercial vehicle offerings.”

Rivero also pointed out the PV5 and PBV family are an integral part of Kia global Plan S to transition to electric vehicles and mobility solutions.

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“Kia Australia has always been an advocate and supporter of the Global Plan S strategy.

“And the PBV forms an important part of the Global Plan S strategy.”

As for PV7, Rivero stated its Australian prospects were still to be sorted out.

“We’re focused on studying the business case for PV5,” he said. “And once we’ve concluded the business case for PV5, we can then move on to studying the bigger brother.

“But neither product is confirmed at this point in time.”