Kia unveils PV7, its second dedicated PBV, with plans for 23 derivative models

Second dedicated PBV after PV5

Body length 5,350mm, range exceeding 460km

Fast charge 10–80% in mid-20 minutes

Cargo capacity up to 8.0 cubic meters, fits 3 pallets

Passenger variant seats up to 11

Launch in South Korea and Europe in second half of next year

A front view of the Kia PV7 Cargo, a large electric purpose-built vehicle (PBV) unveiled for the first time worldwide in Hanover, Germany, on Monday (local time). [Kia]

Kia has pulled the wraps off the PV7, its second dedicated purpose-built vehicle. Larger than the PV5 in both body size and usable space, the electric PBV handles everything from freight transport to passenger service for up to 11 people on a single platform. Kia plans to launch it in South Korea and Europe in the second half of next year before expanding the lineup to 23 derivative models in total.

Kia made the global debut of the large electric PBV, dubbed "The Kia PV7," at IAA Transportation 2026, the world's largest commercial vehicle show, held Monday (local time) in Hanover, Germany.

The PV7 is built on E-GMP.S, Kia's dedicated electric platform for PBVs. The two variants unveiled first — the PV7 Passenger Long and the PV7 Cargo Long — share a body measuring 5,350mm in length, 1,995mm in width, 1,990mm in height and 3,500mm in wheelbase. Kia said it will use a "Flexible Body System" going forward to vary the wheelbase, overall dimensions and interior layout, enabling a wide range of body configurations.

The PV7 uses nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) batteries in 71.5 kWh and 96.2 kWh capacities. The long-range Cargo Long variant achieves a range of more than 460km on a single charge under the European WLTP cycle, based on Kia's own measurements.

The vehicle supports an 800V charging system and ultra-fast charging at up to 350 kW, bringing the battery from 10 to 80 percent in the mid-20-minute range. In a first for Kia, both fast and slow charging ports are located at the front of the vehicle, with an additional slow-charging port on the rear side, reducing charging inconvenience depending on parking orientation.

The standard powertrain is a front-wheel-drive motor producing 200 kW of peak power and 420 Nm of torque, with an all-wheel-drive variant to follow. Vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality allows the battery to serve as an external power source for tools and work equipment.

A rear view of the Kia PV7 Cargo. The rear door uses a full-open twin-swing design that opens outward to both sides. [Kia]

Fits 3 pallets, doubling down on commercial utility

The Cargo variant is designed around real-world logistics and delivery operations. The load floor sits just 550mm above the ground, easing the physical strain of repeated loading and unloading.

Cargo capacity stands at 6.1 cubic meters for the Long model under the European VDA standard, rising to 8.0 cubic meters for the high-roof variant to be added later. The load bay accommodates up to three Euro pallets measuring 1,200 by 800mm — one more than the PV5 Cargo, which fits two.

Payload capacity is approximately 1,165kg for the Long model and 1,200kg for the Compact model under European standards. A "heavy-load driving mode" adjusts powertrain performance when the vehicle is carrying a full load.

The Cargo is offered in two-seat, three-seat and multi-row configurations. The three-seat model features a "load-through" structure that allows long cargo to extend beneath the front passenger seat. The rear door comes in either the full-open twin-swing style or a lift-up tailgate.

Minimizing vehicle downtime was also a design priority. Components prone to damage in minor collisions — including both ends of the bumper, wheel arches and door cladding — are designed for straightforward, part-by-part replacement.

The cargo area of the Kia PV7 Cargo. The Long model offers 6.1 cubic meters of load space and can carry up to three Euro pallets measuring 1,200 by 800mm. [Kia]

Seven, nine or 11 seats — and seats that come out for cargo

The Passenger variant is available in seven-, nine- and 11-seat configurations. The nine-seat version offers two different seating layouts depending on whether a fourth row is included.

The seven-seat Compact model features a "Long Rail Easy Remove Seat System" that lets rear seats slide along a rail or be detached entirely, allowing the vehicle to switch between passenger and cargo duties as needed.

The interior accommodates a display of up to 14.6 inches. Frequently used functions such as climate control are retained as physical buttons. In the three-seat Cargo model, the center seat back folds flat to serve as a work tray when the seat is not in use.

Software is a key element of the PBV proposition. The PV7 runs "Pleos Connect," built on the Android Automotive OS (AAOS), and supports an app marketplace and a generative AI agent called "Gleo AI."

Fleet operators managing multiple vehicles are served by "Pleos Fleet," a vehicle management system that monitors vehicle condition and operational data and can integrate with a company's own business systems. An "uptime" management service proactively detects anomalies to reduce vehicle downtime.

Safety equipment includes seven airbags in total, among them a roof-mounted front-passenger airbag. The vehicle also features pedal misapplication safety assist and acceleration limiting assist to reduce accident risk when the driver presses the wrong pedal. Highway driving assist 2 and remote smart parking assist are available depending on the model.

The interior of the Kia PV7 Cargo. A display of up to 14.6 inches sits at the center, while frequently used functions such as climate control are operated via physical buttons. [Kia]

South Korea and Europe launch next year, expanding to 23 models

The PV7 will go on sale first in South Korea and Europe in the second half of next year. Kia will start with the Passenger Long and Cargo Long before adding the Cargo Compact, Cargo High Roof, Passenger Compact and a chassis cab for special-purpose vehicle development, in that order.

Kia envisions 23 derivative and conversion models for the PV7 globally. Rather than selling a single variant in high volume in the conventional commercial vehicle model, the strategy tailors body style and interior configuration to specific use cases — logistics, passenger transport and service operations.

The move reflects Kia's rapid push to broaden its PBV business. Led by the PV5, the company has been expanding PBV demand beyond logistics into passenger and special-purpose segments, with a medium- to long-term plan to grow the lineup to include the PV7 and PV9. Kia's cumulative domestic electric vehicle sales have also recently surpassed 200,000 units, extending its electrification reach from passenger cars into commercial and enterprise mobility.

A side view of the Kia PV7 Cargo, Kia's second dedicated electric PBV. The PV7 features a large body measuring 5,350mm in length. [Kia]

A total of 10 PBVs are on display at this year's IAA — three PV7s and seven PV5s. The PV5 lineup on show includes the Cargo Compact, Cargo High Roof, Passenger, wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV), chassis cab, crew van and food truck variants. During the show, Kia will also host 31 domestic and international special-purpose vehicle manufacturers to discuss collaboration on vehicle conversion and derivative model development.

"The PV7 represents the next step in our journey toward personalized mobility," Kia President Song Ho-sung said. "Kia will deliver a comprehensive business solution that enhances customer productivity, flexibility and long-term ownership value, backed by vehicles that adapt flexibly to diverse business needs, best-in-class electric vehicle performance and PBV-dedicated services."

kwater@heraldcorp.com