The PV5, Kia’s first 100% electric van, was unanimously chosen as the 2026 International Van of the Year, becoming the first Korean model to win the prestigious award.
The Kia PV5 wins International Van of the Year
Kia’s electric van continues to impress. After its debut earlier this year, the PV5 was named International Van of the Year at SOLUTRANS 2025 in Lyon, France.
The PV5 beat out six other finalists and was unanimously selected by 26 leading commercial journalists for the most authoritative global award in the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment.
To have the PV5 named International Van of the Year is “an exceptional honor,” Kia’s CEO Ho Sung Song said after winning the award.
The accomplishment is not only a testament to the potential of fully electric vehicles in the commercial space, but also Kia’s belief that it can “redefine the segment,” according to Song.
Kia’s electric van is now the first Korean vehicle, and Asia’s first electric van, to win the award. The PV5 is Kia’s first fully electric van as part of its new Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) business.
Earlier this week, Kia introduced a new Chassis Cab variant at SOLUTRANS 2025, adding to the Passenger 5-seater and Cargo Long models that are rolling out across Europe and South Korea. Starting in 2026, Kia plans to launch the Chassis Cab, Cargo Standard (L1H1), and High Roof (L2H2) variants. However, that’s just the start.
Kia revealed seven different PV5 body types during a tech day event in July, including a light camper, a refrigerated truck, a luxury “Prime” passenger, an open-bed version, and several others.
In 2027, Kia will expand with a larger PV7 van, followed by an even bigger PV9. All electric vans are based on the modular E-GMP.S platform, which enables different variants.
The PV5 Cargo Long Range set a new Guinness World Record for the “greatest distance travelled by a light-duty battery-powered electric van with maximum payload on a single charge” in September.
Powered by a 71.2 kWh battery with 665 kg (1,466 lbs) payload, the PV5 drove 693.38 km (430.84 miles) without stopping to charge.
All electric vans are built at Kia’s dedicated Hwaseong EVO plant in South Korea. Last week, the company marked a milestone after opening the first PV5 production hub at the site. Once complete, the hub will be about the size of 42 soccer fields with an annual production capacity of 250,000 units.
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