Kia is giving its PV5 electric van range a more practical accessibility angle with the new PV5 WAV Side Entry, a wheelchair-accessible vehicle making its European debut at Motability Scheme Live in Birmingham, UK.
The model sits under Kia’s Platform Beyond Vehicle, or PBV, business.
Unlike a typical aftermarket conversion, the PV5 WAV Side Entry is developed under Kia’s Made-In-Plant strategy, which means vehicles are produced either directly on Kia manufacturing lines or through a dedicated conversion centre.
Kia said this helps keep quality more consistent and makes production easier to scale for Europe.
Its main trick is the side-entry layout. Kia describes it as a segment-first configuration in the small van class, allowing wheelchair users to board directly from the kerb rather than from the rear. That makes sense for city use, especially for private transport, taxis and shuttle work.
Access is via a two-step manual ramp. The ramp has a maximum incline of 13.1 degrees, or 11 degrees when deployed from a 150 mm kerb. Kia has also added floor lighting to improve visibility during boarding. Inside, the wheelchair space sits centrally, giving the occupant a less isolated position than in many rear-entry WAVs.
The cabin can be arranged in a 2-0-3 layout for normal passenger use, or a 2-0-1 layout with space for a wheelchair user. A 60:40 split, tip-up third-row seat allows a companion to sit nearby. Kia also fits reinforced floor structures and an integrated wheelchair anchorage system.
The PV5 WAV Side Entry is based on the PV5 Passenger, which uses Kia’s E-GMP.S electric platform for service vehicles. Market availability has not been announced.
Kia UK’s approved PBV conversion partner GM Coachwork is also showing three rear-entry PV5 WAV conversions at the same event, giving customers a broader choice depending on user needs and local requirements.
