Kia has launched the PV5 Chassis in the UK, an electric light commercial vehicle that serves as a blank platform for a wide range of aftermarket body conversions. The new variant joins the existing Cargo and Passenger versions of the PV5, but replaces the enclosed rear body with an exposed chassis, allowing specialist builders to fit purpose-built bodies for trades, emergency services, mobile catering and leisure use.
The PV5 Chassis is exclusively available in the UK with the Long Range powertrain, which pairs a front-mounted electric motor producing 161 hp (120 kW) with a 71.2 kWh battery pack. Kia estimates a WLTP range of 259 miles (416 km) between charges. In other markets, buyers can choose a Mid Range version with a smaller 51.5 kWh battery and a less powerful 120 hp (89 kW) motor. Both variants offer a maximum payload of 1,005 kg, putting the electric PV5 on par with many diesel-powered midsize pickups.
Measuring 4,610 mm in length with a 2,995 mm wheelbase, the chassis retains the futuristic front-end styling of its van siblings but the rear body has been removed to reveal the bare steel chassis. The conversion-ready layout includes a custom bulkhead with a rear windshield and a pair of taillights mounted directly on the steel beams. It is a two-seater, and despite its utilitarian appearance, the cabin keeps the equipment found in the standard PV5 Cargo, including a 7.5-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.9-inch infotainment display, heated seats and steering wheel, wireless charging and a comprehensive advanced driver assistance system suite.
Kia has identified a broad range of potential conversions for the platform, including refrigerated vans, box vans, mobile workshops, dropside pickups, tippers, ambulances, service vans and compact campers. The company has already exhibited a PV5 equipped with an integrated kitchen that turns the vehicle into a food truck. Further conversions are scheduled to launch in the UK later this year through Kia's partnership with TGS Automotive Group, a UK specialist in commercial vehicle conversions.
The PV5 Chassis arrives as Kia continues to expand its electric commercial vehicle line-up. The larger PV7 van was recently unveiled ahead of its market launch in the second half of 2027, but until then the smaller PV5 remains Kia's core light commercial vehicle. The chassis variant is intended to give fleet operators and independent converters a flexible electric base at a time when demand for zero-emission commercial vehicles is rising in British cities and beyond.
For businesses that need a vehicle tailored to a specific job, the PV5 Chassis removes the need to strip out a factory-built van body before fitting specialist equipment. That could reduce conversion times and costs, while the electric drivetrain offers lower running costs and access to clean air zones. The 1,005 kg payload and 259-mile range should be sufficient for many urban and regional service roles, though heavier conversions and long-distance duties may still favour larger or diesel-powered alternatives.
Kia has not yet announced pricing for the PV5 Chassis in the UK, but the model is available to order through the company's Long Range configurator. The first converted vehicles are expected to reach customers later this year, with TGS Automotive Group handling a range of body options. The move underlines how electric van platforms are increasingly being designed as modular foundations rather than fixed-body vehicles, opening the door to a more diverse commercial vehicle market.