Kia Previews New PV Electric Van Concepts at CES 2024

Kia previews new PV electric van concepts at CES 2024, featuring swappable bodies

South Korean automaker Kia is kicking off its Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 exhibition by previewing a fleet of new EV concepts. Comprising three models, Kia PV1, PV5, and PV7, these commercial electric vans feature unique modular bodywork that allows them to be swapped.

Starting with the midsize PV5, this concept van will be the first of the three to make its real-world debut in the near future. Similar to the rest of its siblings, the PV5 comes with a range of body styles, offering customers more flexibility and choices according to their personal preferences.

Diving deeper into this modular bodywork, Kia says the PV5’s main chassis comes with a fixed front cab that houses the driver and front passenger area. Behind it lies an interchangeable upper body, also known as a ‘life module’, that is attached to the vehicle’s flatbed chassis using both mechanical coupling and electromagnetic fixture points. Though no further details were revealed regarding this, Kia claims that the PV5’s bodies can be swapped in a relatively quick time.

Each model of the PV5 will be shipped with a standardised life module kit, which comes in three styles – Basic Van, High Roof, and Chassis Cab. Besides the body, interior components like the seats and storage compartments inside the life module can also be removed and swapped, allowing the PV5 to switch from passenger vans or taxis to commercial vans.

Similar modularity features can also be found on both the small, Kei car-like PV1 and the bigger PV7 EV vans, with the former designed for cities and urban usage, while the latter being the largest model in PV’s lineup with the most driving range.

Similarly, Kia remains tight-lipped on both the powertrain and battery specifications of the PV vans. The automaker, however, did reveal that the PV concepts underpin a dedicated new EV platform known as ‘Platform Beyond Vehicle’ (PBV), with plans to further develop them for more customisable passenger vehicles in the future.

Targeted for commercial usage, the PV electric van lineup will be offered alongside dedicated business software to help business owners manage their fleets. Additionally, this new software is also developed to work with robots and drones, as well as for future integration with autonomous driving technologies.

Though all of these seem to be in the distant future, Kia says the PV electric van lineup will be ready to roll out by the end of this decade. Currently, the automaker plans to open a new plant dedicated to the production of PBVs in South Korea, which is expected to become operational in 2025. Once fully operational, this new facility will have an annual production capacity of up to 150,000 units.