Kia and Hyundai expand electric vehicle lineups with new vans

Kia and Hyundai are expanding their electric vehicle (EV) offerings with new models targeting both commercial and passenger markets. Kia has launched the PV5, an electric van built on a modular platform. In the Philippines, the PV5 Cargo variant has been introduced with a 51.5kWh battery and a 384km range. In Germany, the PV5 has already reached 10,000 orders, with various configurations including passenger and wheelchair-accessible versions.

Hyundai has introduced an electric version of the Staria, a large van available in both passenger and cargo configurations. The Staria features an 84kWh battery with 800-volt charging capabilities, allowing for a 10% to 80% charge in 20 minutes. The passenger model offers up to nine seats, while the cargo version is designed for commercial use, capable of carrying up to three Euro-pallets and utilizing the battery as a power source for tools.

Additionally, Kia has showcased electric patrol vehicle concepts based on the EV5 and PV5. These AI-integrated concepts, developed in collaboration with the Korean National Police Agency, feature 4K cameras for threat detection and roof-mounted drone docking stations for surveillance.