Kia PV5 electric van awarded ‘2026 International Van of Year’

The all-electric Kia PV5 has been named the ‘2026 International Van of the Year’ (IVOTY), marking a historic first victory for both Kia and a Korean manufacturer.

The award was presented at the IVOTY Award Gala during SOLUTRANS 2025 in Lyon, France, following a vote by a jury of leading commercial vehicle journalists representing 26 countries.

“Congratulations to Kia for winning the prestigious 34th International Van of the Year Award,” said Jarlath Sweeney, chairman of the International Van of the Year jury. “The all-electric Kia PV5 sets a new benchmark for innovation, efficiency, and all-round capability in the light commercial vehicle segment. It combines zero-emission performance with versatility and practicality, redefining what businesses can expect from a modern van. Kia has long been celebrated for its award-winning cars, and now, its van division is making an equally powerful impact on the industry.”

Ho Sung Song, president and CEO of Kia Corporation, said: “Kia has long stood at the forefront of EV innovation, and the PV5 brings that leadership into the commercial vehicle space with purpose.

We developed the PV5 by listening closely to our business customers and by focusing on creating a vehicle that is both practical and distinctly Kia in its refined, modern design and functionality.

“To have the PV5 named International Van of the Year in its debut is an exceptional honour. It reinforces our belief that Kia can redefine this segment and continue shaping the future of smart, sustainable and electric mobility for businesses around the world.” Based on Kia’s Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service (E-GMP.S), the PV5 Cargo offers up to 416 kilometres of all-electric range (AER, WLTP), with DC charging from 10 to 80 per cent in under 30 minutes and a payload capacity of up to 790 kilogrammes.

Additionally, the PV5 has also already earned a Guinness World Records title for “the greatest distance travelled by a light-duty battery-powered electric van with maximum payload on a single charge”, achieving 693.38 kilometres.

Launching in Cargo and Passenger versions, the PV5 will be joined from 2026 by new variants, including a Chassis Cab, short-wheelbase Cargo (L1H1), and High Roof (L2H2). The larger PV7 and PV9 are currently in development. In Ireland, the PV5 Cargo goes on sale next month and will come as standard with a 71.2 kWh long range battery, priced from just €33,230 ex-VAT.

For more information see Kia.com, and sleator.ie.