Kia has introduced a wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) version of its first electric van, the PV5. The PV5 WAV features several accessibility enhancements, including a side-entry system that allows wheelchair users to board from the sidewalk and a rapidly deployable entry ramp with a capacity of 300kg (661 lbs). Additionally, it incorporates a tip-up seat in the third row to facilitate assistance to wheelchair passengers from the side and includes a specific belt fastening system for wheelchairs.
The launch of the PV5 WAV was in collaboration with Motability Operations, a longstanding partner of the UK’s vehicle leasing program, which supports accessible transportation for people with disabilities.
Sangdae Kim, executive vice president and head of Kia’s PBV Division, stated that the integration of advanced Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) technology with thoughtful design is aimed at promoting sustainable mobility for everyone, underscoring the importance of their partnership with Motability Operations in achieving this objective. PBV technology has been central to several of Kia’s recent vehicle announcements, including those at CES 2024.
Pre-orders for Kia’s standard PV5 model, the company’s first electric van, have recently commenced in the UK. While pricing details for the WAV model have not been released, the non-WAV version starts at £32,995 (approximately $44,000).
