Skip advert
Advertisement

Kia outlines its long-term electric van production strategy

The Korean car maker will set up a new factory for electric ‘Purpose Built Vehicles’ as early as 2026.

Kia electric vans

Kia has announced plans to set up a new production site for a new range of purpose-built electric vans, as part of a wider remit to launch an array of battery-powered vehicles before 2030.

Building on from the firm’s “Plan S” business strategy, which has seen the company commit to launching no less than 11 fully electric passenger cars worldwide by 2027, Kia will start building a new factory for what it describes as “Purpose Built Vehicles”, or PBVs, by summer 2023. The new plant is expected to be finished at the earliest by 2026, and initially have the capacity to produce around 100,000 PBVs per year.

The first vehicle to roll off the new plant’s production line will be a mid-size vehicle, which is currently only known by its “SW” project name. However, Kia did specify when it outlined its Plan S strategy in March 2022 this new vehicle would be available in a selection of body styles, which would allow the PBV to fulfil roles as either a delivery van or a ride-hailing passenger shuttle.

Advertisement - Article continues below

As explained by the Kia CEO Ho Sung Song at the Plan S strategy announcement, the company is also interested in launching a self-driving robotaxi version of its SW PBV. No definitive release window for this SW derivative has been revealed yet, though Kia has suggested this robotaxi model will potentially be capable of level 4 autonomy – meaning there will still be physical controls like pedals and a steering wheel inside, but the vehicle will be able to drive itself in controlled areas without human intervention.

kia ev vans

Kia’s PBV plans go beyond its mid-size commercial vehicle that’s due in 2025, too. Using the same ‘skateboard’ technology underpinning the SW, Kia intends to launch a selection of purpose-built electric vehicles in a variety of shapes and sizes. These, Kia claims, will range from small unmanned delivery vehicles to larger passenger shuttles and PBVs that will allegedly be big enough to be used as mobile shops and office spaces.

These electric PBV plans are in addition to the already comprehensive range of electric passenger cars that Kia plans on launching over a similar timeframe. Including the Kia EV6 electric crossover that’s now on sale in the UK, Kia will launch 14 electric vehicles worldwide by 2027. Of that total, seven of them will be exclusively electric, such as the Kia EV9 large SUV that’s due in 2023, with the remaining total consisting of electric cars derived from combustion-powered models like the new second-gen Kia Niro EV.

Find more van stories on our commercial vehicles hub page...
 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New baby Kia EV2 affordable electric car caught in early tests
Kia EV2 - spyshot front

New baby Kia EV2 affordable electric car caught in early tests

Kia’s EV electric car range will grow again in 2026 with the arrival of the EV2, and we’ve spotted it testing
News
7 Nov 2024
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2024, 2025 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2024, 2025 and beyond

These are the biggest and most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
6 Nov 2024
Kia Tasman enters the fray against Ford Ranger in fast-growing pick-up class
Kia Tasman - front 3/4 standard

Kia Tasman enters the fray against Ford Ranger in fast-growing pick-up class

But there’s no plans to bring Kia's striking new workhorse over to the UK…
News
29 Oct 2024
Kia EV4 hatchback drops its camouflage and gets ready for the big reveal
Kia EV4 testing - front dynamic 3/4

Kia EV4 hatchback drops its camouflage and gets ready for the big reveal

The EV4 will be Kia’s all-electric family-sized hatchback
News
25 Oct 2024

Most Popular

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys
Opinion - Vauxhall Corsa-e

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys

Editor Paul Barker takes a closer look at our 2024 Used Car Awards
Opinion
20 Nov 2024
A £10k electric car with a 100-mile range would surely be a sales success
Opinion - cheap EV

A £10k electric car with a 100-mile range would surely be a sales success

Mike Rutherford thinks there would be demand for an electric car with a modest 100-mile range if it only cost £10k
Opinion
17 Nov 2024
Best used cars to buy 2024
Best used cars 2024

Best used cars to buy 2024

From city cars to large SUVs, here’s our annual pick of the star performers that’ll save you thousands when you buy them used instead of new
Best cars & vans
20 Nov 2024