Kia Enters the Electric Van Arena with Customizable Concepts Unveiled at CES 2024
Kia has officially joined the electric van race, presenting a range of highly customizable electric van concepts at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on Tuesday. The move places Kia among the growing list of automakers targeting the burgeoning market for electric delivery and commercial vans.
As consumer habits shift towards increased home deliveries, there is a growing demand for emission-reducing electric vans. Recognizing this trend, various automakers have entered the market, with Kia being the latest to showcase its commitment to electric mobility.
Rivian, with major investment from Amazon, is already producing electric delivery vans, while Ford offers the E-Transit, and General Motors has its subsidiary, Brightdrop, in the electric delivery van market. Stellantis, the parent company of Ram trucks, is gearing up to release its own electric Ram Promaster EV vans.
Kia, known for its lineup of gasoline-powered family minivans and electric cars and SUVs, has stepped into the commercial van domain with a trio of concept vehicles unveiled at CES 2024. Although Kia refrains from explicitly labeling them as vans, their rectangular shapes and sliding doors firmly place them within the category.
The standout among the three concepts is the PV5, a medium-sized van that emphasizes adaptability. Featuring a removable body section behind the driver zone, the PV5 allows for swift configuration changes to cater to diverse business needs. This innovation enables the vehicle to transform from a passenger van to a specialized work van seamlessly.
Accompanying the PV5 are the larger PV7, akin to big cargo vans or multi-seat vehicles, and the compact PV1 designed for maneuvering in urban settings. While these two concepts lack the PV5’s full modularity, they still offer highly customizable interiors for different applications.
Kia’s vision extends beyond manual driving, with plans to incorporate autonomous driving capabilities. A concept video displayed a van with four-wheel steering for enhanced maneuverability in tight spaces.
However, it’s crucial to note that these vehicles are presented as concepts, and features such as interchangeable body segments and autonomous driving may undergo changes in the final production models. Kia envisions an annual output of approximately 150,000 vans from a designated factory in South Korea, but specific pricing details and availability timelines were not disclosed.
To enhance the commercial customer experience, Kia plans to provide an integrated fleet management system and a dedicated customer support team, mirroring strategies employed by major competitors Ford and General Motors. As the race for electric vans heats up, Kia’s entry adds an innovative and customizable option to the evolving landscape of commercial electric vehicles.*
