- A debut and a win: Kia’s first absolutely electrical van, the PV5, claims the trade’s most prestigious LCV award
- Unanimously chosen by 26 main industrial automobile journalists worldwide
- Asia’s first electrical van and the primary Korean mannequin to win the Worldwide Van of the Yr
- Acknowledged for its technological innovation, operational effectivity, superior security and powerful environmental efficiency
- The PV5 Cargo Lengthy has additionally confirmed its real-world usability, holding a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the longest distance travelled by an electrical van with full payload on a single cost
Kia Company at this time introduced that its all-electric PV5 has been named the ‘2026 Worldwide Van of the Yr’ (IVOTY), marking a historic first for each the model and a Korean producer. The award was offered on November 19 on the IVOTY Award Gala throughout SOLUTRANS 2025 in Lyon, France, following a unanimous resolution by 26 main industrial automobile journalists from all over the world.
Established in 1992, IVOTY is acknowledged as essentially the most authoritative international award within the mild industrial automobile (LCV) sector. Winners are chosen by means of a complete evaluation of how every mannequin contributes to bettering real-world productiveness and advancing the LCV phase. Standards embody technological innovation, operational effectivity, security and environmental efficiency.
The Kia PV5 delivered standout efficiency, rising forward of six different contenders. It additionally breaks new floor as Asia’s first electrical van and the primary Korean mannequin to obtain this honor, making Kia solely the second Asian model to attain this distinction within the competitors’s 34-year historical past.
“Congratulations to Kia for profitable the distinguished thirty fourth Worldwide Van of the Yr Award,” stated Jarlath Sweeney, Chairman of the Worldwide Van of the Yr jury. “The all-electric Kia PV5 units a brand new benchmark for innovation, effectivity, and all-round functionality within the mild industrial automobile phase. It combines zero-emission efficiency with versatility and practicality, redefining what companies can anticipate from a contemporary van. Kia has lengthy been celebrated for its award-winning vehicles, and now, its van division is making an equally highly effective affect on the trade.”
Constructing on Kia’s international EV management — underscored by earlier World Automotive of the Yr wins for the EV6 and EV9 — the PV5 units a brand new customary for the industrial sector, reaffirming the model’s imaginative and prescient for electrical mobility throughout a number of segments.
In appreciation of this recognition, Ho Sung Music, President & CEO of Kia Company, stated, “Kia has lengthy stood on the forefront of EV innovation, and the PV5 brings that management into the industrial automobile house with function. We developed the PV5 by listening carefully to our enterprise clients and by specializing in making a automobile that’s each extremely sensible and distinctly Kia in its refined, fashionable design and performance. Furthermore, the PV5 brings innovation within the conventional LCV manufacturing by means of our conveyor and cell built-in manufacturing system enabling environmental modification course of. To have the PV5 named Worldwide Van of the Yr in its debut is an distinctive honor. It reinforces our perception that Kia can redefine this phase and proceed shaping the way forward for sensible, sustainable and electrical mobility for companies all over the world.”
Marc Hedrich, President & CEO of Kia Europe acknowledged, “Successful the distinguished Worldwide Van of the Yr Award is a real honor and a powerful endorsement from among the most revered journalists within the LCV trade, particularly as the primary automobiles are simply arriving in Europe. Although new to the LCV market, this achievement confirms Kia’s readiness to ship engineering, design and practicality to strengthen our place as a number one mobility options supplier. Our honest thanks go to the IVOTY jurors for this recognition and to all Kia workers for his or her dedication.”
An electrical van that will get the job carried out
The PV5 is Kia’s first eLCV and the inaugural mannequin in its Platform Past Automobile (PBV) line-up. Constructed on a devoted Electrical-International Modular Platform for Service (E-GMP.S), the PV5 provides an all-electric vary (WLTP) of as much as 416 km for Cargo Lengthy and 412 km for Passenger 5-seater. It additionally delivers DC quick charging from 10 to 80 % in roughly half-hour, and a payload capability of as much as 790 kg. The PV5 has additionally earned a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for “the best distance travelled by a light-duty battery-powered electrical van with most payload on a single cost”, reaching 693.38 km.
Supporting real-world versatility, the PV5’s Versatile Physique System and flat-floor structure enable a number of upper-body configurations — from cargo to passenger to conversion-ready modules. Inside, the automobile integrates next-generation digital interfaces together with a built-in AI assistant, fleet administration companies, and app market to boost uptime and operations.
To match enterprise wants, the PV5 provides three battery choices (43.3 kWh, 51.5 kWh and 71.2 kWh) and modular exterior elements that cut back restore complexity. Key usability options embody a low entry peak, flat cargo ground and built-in mounting factors for straightforward upfitting.
Security is engineered from the platform up, with a bolstered multi-load-path physique construction, expanded use of high-strength metal and EV-specific battery safety. A collection of superior driver-assistance methods — together with Encompass View Monitoring and Lane Maintaining Help — help assured operation in busy industrial environments.
Past superior engineering, the PV5 was formed by a improvement course of rooted in actual buyer perception. Kia collaborated carefully with enterprise operators from the earliest levels, guaranteeing the van’s design — from its modular physique configurations to its digital interfaces and ease of servicing — displays real-world operational wants throughout logistics, supply and mobility industries. This customer-driven strategy will proceed as Kia expands its PBV lineup, aiming to place PBVs as a core driver of sustainable enterprise development and long-term mobility innovation.
Sangdae Kim, Govt Vice President and Head of PBV Division at Kia Company added, “In 2022, Kia launched its PBV division with the ambition to redefine the LCV market by means of innovation, one thing Kia has at all times stood for. The Kia PV5 brings that imaginative and prescient to life and receiving the Worldwide Van of the Yr Award with our very first PBV mannequin confirms that we’re on target. The PV5 has been developed by actively listening to buyer voices, with each element thoughtfully designed to fulfill real-world enterprise wants. This award marks an necessary milestone, but our journey to ship significant worth to clients continues as we develop the PBV line-up.”
Out there now in Cargo Lengthy and Passenger 5-seater variations throughout Europe, the PV5 will probably be joined from 2026 by new variants, together with a Chassis Cab, Cargo Normal (L1H1) and Excessive Roof (L2H2). Further PBV fashions will comply with — such because the bigger PV7 and PV9 — strengthening Kia’s imaginative and prescient to construct a full-scale, next-generation PBV ecosystem.
