Kia has revealed the PV7 as a rival for the Ford E-Transit Custom.
The Korean brand’s second electric van, it is based on the same architecture as the existing PV5 and has a similar snub-nosed look – but it is stretched to suit buyers who need greater load-lugging capabilities.
It will be offered in both passenger and cargo forms: in long-wheelbase guise, the former will be capable of seating up to 11 people, while the latter can stow up to three Euro pallets and carry up to 1200kg.
The PV7 will be available with a single front-mounted motor making 268bhp and 310lb ft. A four-wheel-drive version will follow after launch.
Range figures for the full line-up have yet to be disclosed, but the Long Range Cargo variant, fitted with a 96.2kWh battery, will be capable of covering 286 miles between charges. The standard-range PV7 will have a 71.5kWh pack and therefore a shorter range.
Kia claims a 10-80% recharge will take 20min on a 350kW connection and the van’s battery will also be capable of powering external devices, such as tools.
Inside, it is similar to the PV5, with a squared-off steering wheel and an emphasis on digital screens. The 14.6in infotainment touchscreen runs on the new Pleos operating system, which brings artificial intelligence integration and the ability to install third-party applications.
The passenger version will be offered in seven-, nine- and 11-seat configurations, though the 11-seater is likely to be exclusive to Korea – at least initially.
Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to follow the PV5 in significantly undercutting the competition. In passenger form, the PV5 is almost half the price of its Volkswagen ID Buzz rival. For reference, the E-Transit Custom starts at £43,630 (excluding VAT).
