Kia Expands PV5 Electric Van Range With Bigger L2/H2 and Chassis Cab Models

Kia's PV5 Van Family Grows: What's New and What It Costs

Kia has widened its PV5 electric van range with two new body styles aimed at different commercial needs. The L2/H2 is the tallest and most spacious PV5 yet, offering 1,815mm of internal height and 5.2 cubic metres of cargo volume — up from 1,520mm and 4.4 cubic metres in the existing H1 versions. It is priced from £32,355 excluding VAT and comes exclusively with the 71.2kWh Long Range battery, delivering up to 239 miles on the WLTP combined cycle. Buyers can choose from Essential, Plus, and Plus Walk Through grades.

The second addition is the Chassis Cab, a bare vehicle designed to be sent to a converter for specialist bodywork. It starts at £30,605 plus VAT, or £36,000 and £37,600 for Dropside and Tipper versions converted by Kia-approved partner TGS Automotive. Only the Plus trim is available on these models, and like the L2/H2, they are restricted to the Long Range battery. Both new variants qualify for the UK's Zero Emission Van Grant, which knocks £5,000 off the purchase price.

The expansion comes after Kia revealed earlier this year that it was raising its PV5 sales expectations by 50 per cent, having underestimated demand for the van and its five-seat people-carrier sibling since their launch just before Christmas. The new L2/H2 and Chassis Cab options are expected to further boost popularity, alongside a planned PV5 Crew Van. That model will feature an innovative sliding and folding second-row seat system, allowing it to serve as a regular van during the week and family transport at weekends — a first for a van of the PV5's size. However, weight and packaging constraints mean the Crew Van will only be available with the smaller 52kWh battery, giving it a range of under 200 miles.

Why Kia Is Betting Bigger on the PV5

Kia's Electric Van Ambitions Are Accelerating

The PV5's early success has clearly caught Kia off guard. Raising sales expectations by 50 per cent within months of launch is a rare admission that demand outpaced internal forecasts — and it signals that the electric van market may be maturing faster than many incumbents anticipated. The addition of the L2/H2 and Chassis Cab variants is a direct response to that demand, broadening the PV5's addressable market from urban delivery fleets to tradespeople and conversion specialists who need greater volume or custom bodywork.

Where the PV5 Fits in the Van Market

The L2/H2's 5.2m³ cargo volume and 630kg payload put it in direct competition with established mid-size electric vans such as the Ford E-Transit Custom and Vauxhall Vivaro Electric. Kia's pricing — effectively £27,355 after the ZEVG for the L2/H2 — undercuts several rivals, particularly when the grant is applied. The Chassis Cab, meanwhile, opens the door to Kia-approved conversions, a segment where Ford and Volkswagen have long dominated. By partnering with TGS Automotive for Dropside and Tipper versions, Kia is signalling that it wants a slice of the construction and utilities market, not just parcel delivery.

The Crew Van: A Niche Within a Niche

The planned Crew Van's sliding and folding rear seat is a clever piece of packaging, but the decision to offer it only with the smaller 52kWh battery — and a sub-200-mile range — is a significant limitation. For tradespeople who need to carry both crew and cargo, range anxiety could be a dealbreaker, especially for those without easy access to depot charging. Kia appears to be prioritising payload and packaging over long-distance capability, which may limit the Crew Van's appeal to urban and suburban users rather than long-haul operators.

What This Means for the UK Van Market

For context, the UK's zero-emission van market has been growing steadily, helped by the ZEVG and tightening emissions regulations in city centres. Kia's expansion adds competitive pressure on legacy manufacturers who are still scaling their electric van production. If the PV5 continues to outperform expectations, it could force rivals to accelerate their own electric van roadmaps or risk losing fleet customers to a brand with no historical presence in the commercial vehicle segment.

What the PV5 Expansion Means for Fleet Buyers and the Van Market

Kia's PV5 is proving that new entrants can disrupt the electric van market faster than incumbents expected — and the expanded range makes it a credible option for a wider set of fleet buyers.

• Fleet managers evaluating mid-size electric vans should add the PV5 L2/H2 to their shortlists, particularly if cargo volume above 5m³ is required. The effective price of £27,355 after the ZEVG undercuts many rivals, but verify real-world range against your daily routes — 239 miles WLTP may translate to significantly less with a full load.
• Tradespeople and conversion specialists should note the Chassis Cab's £30,605 starting price and the availability of Dropside and Tipper conversions through TGS Automotive. Factor in the £5,000 ZEVG discount when comparing against diesel alternatives, but check lead times and conversion costs.
• Operators needing crew-carrying flexibility should wait for the PV5 Crew Van, expected with a sliding/folding rear seat. However, its sub-200-mile range and 52kWh battery may rule it out for longer routes — assess whether your daily mileage fits within that limit before committing.
• Competitors and industry watchers should monitor whether Kia's 50 per cent sales uplift is sustained through 2026. If it is, expect accelerated electric van launches from Ford, Vauxhall, and Volkswagen, potentially with more aggressive pricing to defend market share.

Metrics to watch: Kia's UK PV5 registration figures in the next two quarters; any adjustment to the ZEVG in the UK Budget; and the Crew Van's official range and pricing when it launches.