Kia donates wheelchair-accessible PV5 WAV; offers discounts to association members and affiliated organizations

Kia Domestic Business Division Vice President Jeong Won-jeong (right) and Korea Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities President Hwang Jae-yeon pose for a photo at the MOU signing ceremony held at Kia360 in Seoul. [Kia]
Kia Domestic Business Division Vice President Jeong Won-jeong (right) and Korea Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities President Hwang Jae-yeon pose for a photo at the MOU signing ceremony held at Kia360 in Seoul. [Kia]

Kia signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities at its brand experience center Kia360 in Seoul on Wednesday, pledging to improve mobility access for people with disabilities through its PV5 WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle).

The PV5 WAV is derived from the PV5, Kia's first dedicated PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle), and is designed to enhance mobility convenience for people with limited transportation access.

To ensure safe and convenient travel for wheelchair users, the vehicle features a side-entry boarding system — the first of its kind among domestic electric vehicles — offering improved ease of boarding and alighting compared with conventional designs.

Under the agreement, Kia will donate one PV5 WAV to the association and offer a 500,000 won ($326) per-vehicle discount on purchases of the PV5 WAV or its passenger variant to individual members and affiliated organizations, including regional chapters and welfare centers.

Kia also plans to use the PV5 WAV for promotional visits and test-drive events at association branches nationwide. The company will operate PV5 WAV booths and vehicle experience opportunities at major events in the second half of the year, including the International Para Park Golf Tournament and the National Sports Festival for Persons with Physical Disabilities.

"Kia's vision is to extend the freedom of mobility to everyone," a company official said. "We are honored to contribute to improving the mobility rights of people with disabilities through our partnership with the Korea Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities. We will continue working through various partnerships to expand the reach of the PV5 WAV and build an inclusive mobility ecosystem."

Meanwhile, Kia is also adding the PV5 WAV to its social contribution program Kia Green Travel, broadening its mobility support for people with disabilities across the company's wider initiatives. The program provides free loans of specially modified vehicles to help people with limited transportation access travel safely and conveniently. Launched in 2012, it operates across eight regions nationwide and has served more than 100,000 people over 15 years.

In March, Kia presented a PV5 WAV to Kwon Jae-hyeok, a player on its esports partner team DPlus Kia.


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