Kia EV Van Sets Guinness World Record: PV5 Cargo Drives 430 Miles on Single Charge with Full Payload

Kia PV5 Cargo Sets Guinness World Record for Range, Nearly Doubling Claimed Range with Full Payload

Kia’s new all-electric PV5 Cargo van has set an official Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled by a light-duty electric van on a single charge while carrying a full payload. The van covered an astonishing 430.84 miles (693.38 km) on public roads near Frankfurt, Germany, a feat that nearly doubles its official WLTP range rating of 258 miles. The record-setting drive, which lasted over 22 hours and 30 minutes, solidifies Kia’s position as a serious and innovative contender in the electric light commercial vehicle (eLCV) space, demonstrating the PV5’s exceptional efficiency and real-world practicality for delivery and logistics work.

Record Set Under Real-World, Fully Loaded Conditions

The record highlights the PV5 Cargo’s efficiency even when stressed with maximum weight and challenging driving conditions.

• World Record: The PV5 Cargo set the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the longest distance traveled by a light-duty battery-powered electric van on a single charge with maximum payload.
• Distance & Payload: The van traveled 430.84 miles (693.38 km) while carrying its maximum authorized payload of 1,466 lbs (665 kg).
• Real-World Test: The attempt was conducted on public roads north of Frankfurt, Germany, over a 36.2-mile urban and extra-urban loop. It deliberately simulated daily commercial operations, facing traffic lights, roundabouts, and an elevation gain of approximately 370 meters per loop.
• Driving Time: The drive lasted 22 hours and 30 minutes.

Nearly Double the Claimed Range

The PV5 Cargo significantly exceeded its own official range rating.

• Official Range: The PV5’s WLTP range rating for the Long Range (71.2 kWh) model is 258 miles.
• Distance Exceeded: The van exceeded this claimed range by almost 200 miles, showing how much further the range can be stretched with economical driving.
• Efficiency Factors: The achievement is attributed to the PV5’s efficient drivetrain, optimized aerodynamics, and three levels of regenerative braking, combined with economical driving practices. Kia also notes that the PV5 loses only about 1.5 percent of range for every extra 220 lbs (100 kg) of cargo.
• Battery & Power: The record was set using the 71.2 kWh battery variant.

Kia’s PBV Strategy and Future Plans

The PV5 Cargo is the inaugural model in Kia’s new commercial vehicle family.

• Platform: The PV5 is the first model in Kia’s Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) line-up, built on the E-GMP.S (Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service) architecture. This platform is designed for flexibility, allowing for various platforms to suit different commercial and personal applications.
• Variants: The PV5 Cargo is available in Medium Range (51.5 kWh) and Long Range (71.2 kWh) variants. It offers up to 155.4 cubic feet (4.4m³) of usable cargo space and a payload capacity of up to 1,741 lbs (790 kg).
• Future Expansion: Kia plans to expand its eLCV line-up with a larger PV7 expected in 2027, and an even bigger PV9 by the end of the decade.

Final Thoughts

The Kia PV5 Cargo’s Guinness World Record is a powerful declaration of the maturity and viability of electric light commercial vehicles. By proving it can operate for “almost two full workdays on a single charge” even under maximum load, Kia has successfully challenged fleet operators’ biggest fear: range anxiety. This record not only validates the engineering of the PV5’s efficient drivetrain but also signals that Kia is a serious contender ready to supply the backbone of future urban and extra-urban logistics.

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