Kia secures a new partner to sell its first electric PBV vans in another key overseas market
Kia is taking its electric PBV vans to a new overseas market after securing a local sales contract in Japan. The fit-for-purpose EV vans are part of Kia’s plans to become a leading total mobility solutions provider. Kia’s first electric PBV van was recently spotted in the wild ahead of its official launch.
Kia unveiled its new Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) business plans at the 2024 CES in Las Vegas. The new PBVs are designed as total mobility solutions or fit-for-purpose EVs loaded with advanced software.
According to Kia’s CEO, Ho Sung Song, the PBVs are tailor-made electric vans that “go beyond the traditional concept of automobiles.”
Kia says its PBVs, with their spacious, flexible interiors, “open the door to new businesses and lifestyles.” The electric vans can be used for business or personal use. Ideal clients would include delivery or transport services or even someone looking for a custom van to travel around in.
With three models (PV1, PV5, and PV7), Kia plans to cover all segments. The first due to hit the market is the mid-size PV5.
The PV5 will be available in different configurations, including basic (passenger van), van (for transport and delivery), and chassis (think of a pickup truck bed).
Kia to launch electric vans in another overseas market
We already knew Kia was planning to launch PBVs in Europe. Last week, Kia’s electric vans made their European debut at IAA Hanover.
On Tuesday, Kia announced plans to launch electric vans in another key overseas region. After signing a new local sales contract with Sojitz, Kia said it will sell PBVs in Japan starting in 2026.
The agreement comes as demand for small and medium-sized EV vans is expected to continue rising in Japan. Japan’s carbon-neutral policy calls for 30% of new car sales to be electric by 2030, and vans will play a significant role.
Kia will sell electric vans in Japan through its partnership with Sojitz, a leading local trading company.
Like in other markets, Kia’s PV5 will be the first PBV to hit the market. The partnership kicks off Kia’s plans to expand Japan’s electric van market by working with local companies to create a “PBV ecosystem” with bidirectional charging technology and more.
Kia will introduce new EV van models in Japan in the future, including the PV7, as it looks to secure global leadership.
A sneak peek
Ahead of its official debut, Kia’s PV5 electric van was spotted out testing last week. Despite the camouflage, the video from CarSpyMedia shows the boxy PV5 design. The prototype shown in January features a bold design to stand out in the electric era.
The electric van will challenge Volkswagen’s ID.Buzz in Europe. Although prices have not been officially revealed, the PV5 is expected to start at around $39,000 (€35,000) in Europe.
In comparison, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz starts at around $70,000 (€64,581) in Germany, including VAT. In the US, VW’s electric van starts at $61,545.
All PBV models will be built at Kia’s new dedicated Autoland Hwaseong plant in Korea. Set to open next year, the plant is expected to have up to 150,000 annual unit capacity. By the end of the decade, that number could double to around 300,000.
Several automakers and startups, including Ford, GM, VW, Rivian, and others, are looking to enter the growing EV van market.
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Oil prices jump more than 3%, adding to last week’s surge, as Israel strikes Iran energy facilities
Kenworth has announced the addition of Bendix’ Fusion advanced driver assist system (ADAS) to its line of options on the T680 line of Class 8 commercial semi trucks – a lineup that includes the Next Generation T680E battery electric semi truck.
One of the many new trucks revealed at the 2025 ACT Expo in Anaheim, California earlier this year, the Next Generation Kenworth T680E featured the latest advancements in battery-electric technology, an enhanced exterior design, and a suite of new, in-cab technology that extends to the addition of three Bendix Fusion version: ADAS, ADAS PRO, and ADAS PREMIER.
All three of the announced ADAS packages offer updated Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with ACC Stop and Auto Go™, a new Pedestrian Autonomous Emergency Braking (PAEB) feature, and a new High Beam Assist feature to reduce the likelihood of blinding oncoming drivers supported by the addition of a new forward-looking camera.
Those updates are in addition to the ADAS units Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Multi-Lane Autonomous Emergency Braking, Highway Departure Braking (HDB), and Stationary Vehicle Braking (SVB), Lane Departure Warning, and Bendix® Blindspotter® Side Object Detection already available on previous versions of the ADAS-equipped Kenworth.
Kenworth migital mirrors
Now that we’ve got that acronym-loaded word-salad out of the way, we can get to the point: the newest generation of electric trucks is easier and safer to drive – and not just safer for the truck’s operators, but for the people who share the roads with them, too.
Kenworth T680E electric semi
The Next-Generation T680E is available with up to 605 peak hp and 1,850 lb-ft of torque from a PACCAR Integrated ePowertrain fed from a 500 kWh li-ion battery pack good for more than 200 miles of loaded range. The updated Class 8 BEV is rated up to 82,000 lb. gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR), and can get that load back up to speed quickly with a 350 kW peak charge rate that means the T680E can charge up to 90% in just two hours.
That system isn’t just more efficient than the first generation truck, it’s also more serviceable than it was before.
“This move to a fully integrated and ground-up PACCAR design means we were able to design for enhanced serviceability,” explains Joe Adams, Kenworth’s chief engineer. “Providing easier access to the Master Service Disconnects for improved safety and increased uptime and allowing the use of the DAVIE service tool for troubleshooting and diagnostics.”
The Next Generation Kenworth T680E electric semi truck is designed for short and regional-haul, LTL, and drayage operations. It’s available as a day cab as either a tractor or straight truck in a 6×4 axle configuration.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Kenworth; via Kenworth.
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Just like it says on the tin – retailers are advertising killer deals on the fun-to-drive Kia Niro EV, with one midwest auto dealer reporting more than $10,000 off the sticker price of the Niro EV Wind. That’s nearly 25% off the top line price!
SKIP THE STORY: get straight to the deals.
The Kia Niro EV gets overshadowed by its objectively excellent EV6 and EV9 stablemates – both of which are currently available with substantial lease cash and 0% APR financing, in fact – but that doesn’t mean it’s not an excellent little electric runabout in its own right.
The last time I had a Niro EV tester, my kids loved it, I liked that it was quicker and more tossable than I expected it to be, and my wife liked the fact that “it doesn’t look electric. It looks normal.” And, with well over 200 miles of real world range (EPA-rated range is 253 miles), it was more than up to the task of commuting around Chicago and making the trip up to the Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee and back without even needing to look for a charger.
It’s not the primary family hauler I’d choose – but as a second car? As a primary car for a slightly smaller family (1-2 kids, instead of 3-4)? The Kia Niro EV Wind, with a $42,470 MSRP, seems like a solid, “can’t go wrong” sort of choice. You know?
You won’t even have to pay that much, though. Raymond Kia in Antioch, Illinois is advertising a $42,470 Niro EV for $32,431 (that’s $10,039, or about 24% off the MSRP), and several others are advertising prices in the $33,000 range.
And, while we’re at it:
Kia Niro EV gallery
SOURCE | IMAGES: CarsDirect, Edmunds, Raymond Kia.
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