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Kia strengthens PBV business at CV Show 2026 with expanded PV5 line-up and approved Kia PBV Conversion Partners
Kia returns to the Commercial Vehicle Show in 2026 as a fast-growing contender in the light commercial vehicle sector. Building on the strong reception of the PV5 since its UK introduction, Kia is showcasing two new PV5 Cargo variants, with the European debut of the L1/H1 and L2/H2, and announcement of the first five approved Kia PBV Conversion Partners for the UK along with a host of updates across its flourishing Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) business.
These latest additions further broaden the Kia PV5 line-up with more choice in cargo volume and payload, enabling fleets to select the best configuration for their operational needs. The PV5 Cargo range now consists of L1/H1, L2/H1 and L2/H2, alongside new conversion options across PV5 Cargo, PV5 Passenger and PV5 Chassis. These will provide customers with enhanced flexibility and tools from racking and security to a compact Lightweight Tipper, fridge van, or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) conversion.
Kia’s presence at the CV Show this year reinforces its commitment to fleets and businesses as a long-term commercial vehicle partner. Strengthening the Kia PBV strategy is the introduction of several new services designed to offer complete and simplified business and fleet customer solutions. These include preferential business servicing rates and plans at Kia PBV Centres.
Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia UK, said: “Businesses need electric vans that fit straight into their operations, supported by services that make running them simple and predictable. The Kia PV5 is already proving its value on UK roads, and the additions we are announcing today give our customers even more flexibility, capability and confidence.
“From new Cargo variants to our growing network of PBV Centres and newly announced approved Kia PBV Conversion Partners, Kia has built a commercial vehicle offering designed around real-world business requirements. We are excited to embark on this new chapter in our PBV story.”
New PV5 Cargo variants
The Kia PV5 Cargo L1/H1 and Cargo L2/H2 further strengthen Kia’s PBV strategy by offering configurations tailored to distinct operational profiles: higher-capacity transport and urban delivery. These two latest additions further strengthen the PV5 line-up, alongside the PV5 Cargo L2/H1, the PV5 Passenger (five-seater, with additional configurations to follow), PV5 Chassis, and conversion options such as the PV5 Crew.
Like all PV5 variants, the new PV5 Cargo L1/H1 and Cargo L2/H2 are built on Kia’s E-GMP.S (Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service). The eLCV architecture underpins modularity, durability, and integration of advanced connectivity and fleet management systems.
PV5 Cargo L1/H1
The PV5 Cargo L1/H1 is optimised for urban logistics and service fleets. The more compact cargo area offers more than four cubic metres (VDA) of space. These dimensions support efficient loading and manoeuvrability in dense urban environments.
The Cargo L1/H1 is 200mm shorter than the L2, featuring a 4.0m3 cargo space (0.4 less than L2/H1) and is offered in the same two simple grades as all PV5 Cargo models, ‘Essential’ and ‘Plus’. For the UK market, the Standard Range 51.5kWh and Long Range 71.2kWh battery options also match that of its longer sibling, while range is estimated up to 400km (TBC, WLTP homologation pending). Payload is estimated to be 10kg more than Cargo L2/H1, at up to 800kg*.
PV5 Cargo L2/H2
The PV5 Cargo L2/H2 is designed to support higher-volume transport. The cargo area is 2,255mm long, 1,565mm wide, and 1,815mm tall – 311mm higher than H1 models – offering a cavernous 5.2m3 (VDA) cargo space (0.8 more than L2/H1). Consequently, the small segment van delivers a capacity typically associated with medium segment vans. Payload is expected at 630kg*.
Cargo L2/H2 is exclusively available with the Long Range 71.2kWh battery, across both ‘Essential’ and ‘Plus’ grades. This provides an expected range of more than 370km (TBC, WLTP homologation pending).
Market availability and further specifications will be announced in due course for both new Cargo models. First UK customer deliveries for Cargo L1/H1 are expected in a few months’ time, while Cargo L2/H2 first UK customer deliveries are expected in early 2027. Order books are planned to open for the PV5 Cargo L1/H1 in July, while orders for the Cargo L2/H2 are planned for Q4 this year.
Model | Cargo length | Cargo width | Cargo height | Cargo volume | Payload |
PV5 Cargo L1/H1 | 2,055mm | 1,565mm | 1,520mm | 4.0m3 | Up to 800kg* |
PV5 Cargo L2/H1 | 2,255mm | 1,565mm | 1,520mm | 4.4m3 | Up to 790kg |
PV5 Cargo L2/H2 | 2,255mm | 1,565mm | 1,815mm | 5.2m3 | Up to 630kg* |
PV5 Cargo updates
As part of Kia’s ongoing product improvement programme, the PV5 Cargo will receive several model-year 2027 (MY27) updates including standard driver’s lumbar support and a height adjustable arm rest (two-seat configuration only) to further improve driver comfort. A new composite bulkhead adds to the cabin refinement, and a three-seat option will be introduced (initially only available on Cargo L2/H1). A revised roof antenna design reduces the Cargo’s overall vehicle height to less than 1.9 metres (1,899mm), assisting accessibility into many height-restricted car parks. UK pricing, availability and further specifications are planned for announcement in June.
Alongside Cargo and Passenger, Kia plans to launch Crew and Chassis variants of the PV5 later this year. Cargo, Passenger and Crew each had their UK debut at the CV Show last year, while Chassis enjoys its UK debut at this year’s show. Crew will be offered with the Standard Range 51.5kWh battery only and features a unique sliding bulkhead offering a seamless transition between five-seat passenger or cargo van.
Kia UK PBV Conversion Partners
With the launch of Kia’s approved Kia PBV Conversion Partners, customers will now be able to benefit from a host of conversion options across the PV5 model. These increase the model’s already substantial appeal and cater for a number of specific and specialist job needs. The conversions demonstrate the adaptability of the PV5 to meet the diverse operational needs of businesses across multiple sectors, while benefiting from the expertise from specialist conversion companies.
The first five approved Kia PBV Conversion Partners are:
Three of Kia’s new conversion partners feature proudly on the Kia CV Show stand, including Würth racking in a PV5 Cargo L2/H1; a TGS Lightweight Tipper built on PV5 Chassis, and a fridge-van conversion by CoolKit. A PV5 Cargo L2/H1 is also showcased on the Modul-System stand to demonstrate the company’s hardware.
Preferred charge point suppliers for PBV Centres
Kia has appointed Ohme and Radius as its preferred charge point suppliers for PBV Centres. Their inclusion strengthens Kia’s end-to-end support offering from vehicle selection to infrastructure readiness and aligns with the brand’s wider electrification tools for fleet customers. PBV customers will be directed to Ohme for home charging needs and Radius for larger fleet or depot charging requirements.
Kia Business Service Promise for PV5
Introduced to help fleets with servicing costs while benefiting from main dealer expertise and Kia genuine parts, the Kia Business Service Promise now extends to include business and fleet PBV customers. Exclusive benefits include a labour rate of just £59/hour (+VAT) and a 10% discount on parts, ensuring the highest quality vehicle servicing at affordable prices.
In addition, Kia is making service, maintenance and repair (SMR) simpler and more transparent for business users with an enhanced SMR system designed to support real-world cost planning. The tool enables customers to calculate projected ownership costs, such as servicing a PV5 over a three-year period, or check the price of a single service before booking directly into their preferred PBV Centre.
Kia will soon extend access to its SMR system to small and local businesses, allowing them to obtain accurate SMR pricing and book appointments at Business Service Promise rates.
Kia PBV Service Plans
Now available to purchase from Kia PBV Centres, Kia PBV Care Service plans are prepaid maintenance programs designed to simplify vehicle upkeep, offering multiple plan options with scheduled services to maintain performance and value. Standard plans cover two, three and five services, with the PV5’s two-year 20,000-mile service interval.
Kia Rental adds PV5
The Kia PV5 is now available to hire through Kia Rental; the brand’s dealer-operated vehicle rental service. With the addition of PV5, businesses can hire the model from one day to over a month to assess its suitability ahead of ordering. In addition, businesses that don’t need to operate a fleet of vans full time can benefit from hiring a PV5 when needed, for example events or other isolated needs. Serving as both useful hire or extended test drive, the Kia Rental PV5s are already proving a popular addition to Kia’s expanding rental service, reaching new customers and expanding its appeal.
Building on Kia’s commercial debut
Kia’s momentum in the UK LCV sector accelerated sharply in Q1 2026, with the fully electric PV5 Cargo and Passenger models combined achieving 1,604 registrations in their first full quarter on sale, propelling Kia to third place in the zero emission LCV market.
This success builds on Kia’s landmark CV Show debut in 2025 and the brand’s new PBV strategy signalled a confident entry into the commercial vehicle space, establishing Kia as a serious and fast rising contender in a rapidly electrifying market. Kia UK’s PBV strategy introduced a dedicated network of PBV Centre dealerships – now 65 strong – offering sales and servicing to commercial vehicle customers across the UK.
The multi award-winning Kia PV5 is the ‘2026 International Van of the Year’, and winner of several ‘Van of the Year’ awards from major automotive and business publications, including What Car?, Parkers, Van Reviewer, Electrifying.com and What Van?.
The PV5 Cargo qualifies for the full Zero Emission Van Grant (ZEVG), taking £5,000 off the purchase price. Prices for the Cargo L2/H1 start from £27,645 (excluding VAT and ZEVG).
