It’s fair to say that fully-electric vans have faced their fair share of criticism from skeptics over the years, but Kia has just successfully changed the story. On September 30th, the Kia PV5 Cargo, an electric light commercial vehicle (LCV), broke the world record for the furthest distance covered on a single charge by a fully-electric van. In real world driving conditions near Frankfurt, Germany, the PV5 covered a staggering 430.8 miles, whilst carrying its maximum payload!
What’s more impressive about this feat, this wasn’t tested in a lab or a closed track simulation. The drive took place on public roads, over a 36.1-mile loop that mimicked the daily realities of delivery and logistics operations. The route included traffic lights, intersections, roundabouts, and typical city traffic, with an elevation of around 370 metres. The electric van finished this loop 12 times, before coming to a stop once it had depleted its battery.
This achievement is more than just a story, it’s a turning point for electric vans. Range anxiety has been one of the biggest barriers for EV adopting in commercial fleets, but Kia’s PV5 proves that electric vans can go the distance, even under demanding conditions.
Electrifying your journey
At iCarLease, we understand the concerns around transitioning to electric vehicles. That’s why we’re committed to helping individuals make informed, confident decisions about fleet electrification. The Kia PV5’s performance is just one example of how EV technology is evolving to meet, and exceed, real-world demands.
