Kia Unveils PV7 Electric Van, Expanding PBV Lineup
Kia revealed the PV7, its second electric van from the Platform Beyond Vehicle lineup, at IAA Transportation in Germany. The PV7 is longer than the PV5 and will come in passenger and cargo versions, with a launch planned for Europe and Korea in late 2027.
The PV7 is built on Kia's dedicated PBV architecture, called E-GMP.S, which uses a flat-floor layout to make loading and unloading easier. Buyers will be able to choose a 71.5kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery pack or a 96.2kWh pack. Kia claims the Cargo Long-Range version will achieve 460km (285.8 miles) on the WLTP cycle, which is typically 10-20 percent more generous than EPA estimates. The van uses an 800-volt architecture, allowing a 10-80 percent charge in under 25 minutes with a 350kW DC fast charger. It also supports vehicle-to-load outlets for powering external tools and equipment. Infotainment runs on Kia's Android Automotive-based Pleos Connect OS, including Gleo AI natural-language voice controls.
Kia's design for the PV7 includes a two-tone front end with a dark upper section that wraps around the windshield, giving it a visor-like appearance. The upright look and tall, flat roof suggest a large interior. A low front bumper and plastic body cladding around the base add a rugged, practical border. Both the passenger and cargo versions feature wheels with a squarish multi-spoke design. The Verge described the design as forward-looking enough to erase concerns about typical van clunkiness, but not so aggressive as to challenge a viewer's worldview.
Kia has not said whether the PV7 will be sold in the US soon. According to Electrek, a version has been spotted testing in the US. Officially, the van will be launched in Europe and Korea in the second half of 2027, with additional markets, derivatives and conversion models to follow.
PBV was introduced during CES 2024 as a family of electric vehicles built on a flexible architecture with different swappable body types. The vehicle can be transformed from a minivan to a full-size van to a small truck depending on the specific need, with the driver cab remaining fixed while the rest of the vehicle is interchangeable, like a real-life Duplo set. The Verge noted that this was a concept from a different era and that the EV market has since changed.
The Verge, which reported the reveal, argued that Kia should bring the electric vans to the US if they are attractively priced. The publication said minivan sales are rebounding as some buyers grow weary of SUVs, and that an electric van could find a market if priced moderately. Kia has sold the Carnival minivan in the US since 2021 and is one of the few automakers making all-electric vans.