Kia UK has expanded its all-electric PV5 Cargo lineup with model-year 2027 updates and a new entry-level L1/H1 variant priced from £27,355 ($36,500) excluding VAT. According to Kia UK, the compact L1/H1 becomes the new entry point to the PV5 Cargo family while comfort and usability upgrades roll out across the range. Orders for the MY27 lineup and the new L1/H1 open this week, with first customer deliveries expected from October.
Highlights
- The new L1/H1 enters the range at £27,355 ($36,500) excluding VAT — 200mm shorter than the L2, with a 4.0m³ (VDA) cargo volume, 0.4m³ less than the L2/H1.
- Maximum payload rises 10kg over the L2/H1 to 800kg (Essential, Standard Range, 3-door).
- WLTP Combined range reaches up to 243 miles with the Long Range 71.2kWh battery and 177 miles with the Standard Range 51.5kWh battery.
- MY27 updates add standard driver lumbar support, a composite bulkhead, and a slimmer antenna that lowers overall height to 1,899mm.
A Compact Entry Point for Urban Fleets
The PV5 Cargo L1/H1 is aimed at dense urban operations where compact dimensions and tight maneuverability matter most. Its shorter body holds just over four cubic meters of usable load space, balancing capacity against handling for city logistics and service fleets.
Measuring 200mm shorter than the L2, the L1/H1 delivers 4.0m³ (VDA) of cargo volume and comes in the same Essential and Plus grades offered across the PV5 Cargo line. UK customers get the familiar powertrain choice of a Standard Range 51.5kWh or Long Range 71.2kWh battery, mirroring the longer model. Range reaches up to 243 miles (WLTP Combined) with the larger battery and up to 177 miles with the Standard Range pack. Because of its smaller footprint, the L1/H1’s maximum payload rises by 10kg over the L2/H1 to 800kg.
At launch, the L1/H1 is offered only as a 2-seat configuration, with a 3-seat option to follow in early 2027. Range figures here follow the WLTP Combined cycle, which typically reads higher than the EPA ratings used in the U.S. market.
What’s New for MY27
Kia’s product enhancement program brings a series of MY27 changes to the PV5 Cargo range, focused on driver comfort and everyday practicality:
- Seating: 2-seat or 3-seat no-cost option (initially on Cargo L2/H1 only); three seats becomes standard, with two seats a no-cost option
- Driver support: Standard lumbar support across all Cargo models, plus a multi-position driver armrest on 2-seat models
- Refinement: A new composite bulkhead improves cabin refinement
- Packaging: A slimline short-roof antenna lowers overall height to under 1.9 meters (1,899mm), improving access to height-restricted parking structures
- Convenience: Walk Away Lock
UK Pricing and Options
UK pricing for the PV5 Cargo now starts at £27,355 ($36,500) excluding VAT for the L1/H1 Essential with the Standard Range battery. All grades qualify for the Government Zero-Emission Van Grant (ZEVG), which takes £5,000 ($6,675) off the on-the-road cost.
| PV5 Cargo L1/H1 | Range (WLTP) | Basic (+VAT) | ZEVG | OTR inc. ZEVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential SR | 177 miles | £27,355 | £5,000 | £29,016 |
| Essential LR | 243 miles | £29,855 | £5,000 | £32,016 |
| Plus SR | 177 miles | £28,355 | £5,000 | £30,216 |
| Plus LR | 243 miles | £30,855 | £5,000 | £33,216 |
| PV5 Cargo L2/H1 | Range (WLTP) | Basic (+VAT) | ZEVG | OTR inc. ZEVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential SR | 184 miles | £28,355 | £5,000 | £30,216 |
| Essential LR | 258 miles | £30,855 | £5,000 | £33,216 |
| Plus SR | 184 miles | £29,355 | £5,000 | £31,416 |
| Plus LR | 258 miles | £31,855 | £5,000 | £34,416 |
SR = Standard Range 51.5kWh; LR = Long Range 71.2kWh. OTR includes VAT, VED, first registration fee, and delivery.
Beyond the no-cost seating choice, both grades can add Premium Paint for £625 ($835) excluding VAT. A choice of 3-door or 4-door variants adds a sliding door for extra cargo access at £355 ($475) excluding VAT, and a Heat Pump is now exclusive to the Plus Long Range model at £650 ($870) excluding VAT. Every PV5 carries Kia’s seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, with eight years of cover on the high-voltage battery pack.
Where the L1/H1 Fits in Kia’s PBV Plans
The Cargo expansion follows the recently detailed MY27 update to the PV5 Passenger, and the high-roof Cargo L2/H2 is due later this year. The broader PV5 range spans Cargo, Passenger, Chassis, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), and Crew conversions.
Since reaching Kia PBV Centre showrooms in December 2025, the PV5 has been named the 2026 International Van of the Year, along with Van of the Year recognition from Electrifying.com, What Van?, Parkers, and The Sun. The PV5 Cargo also holds a Guinness World Records title for the longest single-charge run by a maximum-payload electric van, covering 430.84 miles (693.38km). Kia plans to extend its PBV strategy with the PV7 in 2027 and the PV9 in 2029.
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