Kia UK has officially opened order books and revealed commercial specifications and pricing for the new MY27 Kia PV5 Chassis. Developed as the dedicated, conversion-ready foundation of the manufacturer's Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) business, the incomplete chassis cab is designed to give bodybuilders, fleets, and municipal operators a compact, factory-backed zero-emission platform.
Underneath sits Hyundai Motor Group’s dedicated E-GMP.S (Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service) skateboard architecture. While overseas markets receive a standard-range battery option, the UK market exclusively gets a 71.2kWh Long Range battery pack paired with a front-mounted 120kW electric motor. The platform supports DC fast charging at up to 120kW, taking the battery from 10% to 80% in around 30 minutes, alongside 11kW AC charging that completes a 10% to 100% charge in six hours and 30 minutes. Kia cites an illustrative WLTP driving range of up to 258 miles based on the panel van equivalent, though real-world range will naturally vary depending on the chosen coachbuilt body.
In terms of footprint, the PV5 Chassis measures 4,610mm long, 1,895mm wide, and 1,935mm tall, riding on a 2,995mm wheelbase. Its compact proportions deliver a city-friendly 5.5-metre turning radius. As a bare cab chassis, gross vehicle weight (GVW) is 2,650kg, offering an unbodied base payload capacity of up to 885kg (incorporating a standard 75kg driver allowance).
For turn-key conversions, Kia has established an official conversion partnership with UK-based TGS Automotive Group. Approved initial bodies include a Dropside with a 633kg payload and a Tipper with a 561kg payload, both extending total vehicle length to 4,825mm and offering optional Chapter 8 highway markings, mesh cages, and beacons.
The incomplete PV5 Chassis starts at £30,605 excluding VAT in a single, high-spec 'Plus' trim, which works out to £32,916 on the road after applying the maximum £5,000 UK Zero Emission Van Grant (ZEVG). Completed TGS conversions start from £36,600 plus VAT (£40,110 OTR after ZEVG) for the Dropside and £37,600 plus VAT (£41,310 OTR after ZEVG) for the Tipper. Orders are open now through Kia’s dedicated UK PBV Centre network, with first customer deliveries scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. All models include Kia’s seven-year/100,000-mile vehicle warranty and eight-year traction battery cover.
Verdict: A practical, tightly turning urban platform that gives small fleets a credible electric conversion option, though heavy construction payloads will quickly test the limits of that front-wheel-drive chassis.