An electric van sets a new world record for impressive range

With the rise of electric vehicles, a breath of fresh air is blowing through the urban transport market. Who would have thought that an electric van could set a real world record for range while carrying its maximum load? This challenge was brilliantly met by the Kia PV5 Cargo, which covered an impressive distance of 693.38 kilometers on a single charge. This raises interesting questions about what we believed we knew about electric utility vehicles.

An impressive technical feat in real-world conditions

On September 30, 2025, in Frankfurt, a significant challenge was met. The Kia PV5 Cargo, equipped with a 71.2 kWh battery, was driven for 22 hours and 30 minutes without interruption. It's as if a crazy marathon runner had no intention of slowing down, determined to reach the finish line.

Operated by Christopher Nigemeier, an engineer from Hyundai Motor's European technical center, this van was tested under conditions replicating the reality of daily professional transport. The route included:

• 58 kilometers of urban environment 🚦
• Several traffic lights and intersections 🔄
• A total altitude change of 370 meters 📉

Characteristic	Value
Driving time	22h30
Distance traveled	693.38 km
Maximum payload	790 kg

Performance that redefines the role of electric utility vehicles

This performance challenges preconceived notions. For example, with an additional load of 100 kg, the range would decrease by only 1.5%, proof that professionals can rely on this vehicle without compromising its performance. During its attempt, the van completed 12 full laps before coming to a stop, demonstrating exceptional consumption consistency.

A range of electric utility vehicles that is growing

The PV5 is not limited to this isolated success. It is the first model of a new division of Kia, Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV), which promises to be a key player in the field of electric utility vehicles. This model is part of a lineage that will continue to grow in the coming years, with the promise of a multitude of configurations, such as:

• Light Camper version for outdoor adventures 🏕️
• Models accessible to wheelchairs ♿
• Specialized configurations for various trades 🧰

Model	WLTP Range	Loading volume
PV5 Cargo 51.5 kWh	296 km	4.4 m³
PV5 Cargo 71.2 kWh	415 km	4.4 m³

The future of the electric utility vehicle market

Kia is not stopping at this advancement. The manufacturer plans to launch new models, such as the PV7 in 2027 and the PV9 in 2029, targeting light and medium heavyweight segments that are currently dominated by diesels. These innovations are all the more relevant as regulatory pressure for electrification intensifies throughout Europe.

This world record highlights not only advances in lithium-ion battery technologies but also opens new perspectives for electrification for corporate fleets, particularly in urban deliveries.

// Logic for interactive elementsdocument.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { const rows = document.querySelectorAll('#vansData tr'); // Show the maximum range let maxAutonomy = 0; rows.forEach(row => { const autonomy = parseInt(row.querySelector('td[data-autonomie]').dataset.autonomie); if (autonomy > maxAutonomy) { maxAutonomy = autonomy; } }); // Highlight the van with the best range rows.forEach(row => { const autonomy = parseInt(row.querySelector('td[data-autonomie]').dataset.autonomie); if (autonomy === maxAutonomy) { row.classList.add('bg-green-200'); } }); // Adding hover events for better interactivity rows.forEach(row => { row.addEventListener('mouseenter', () => { row.classList.add('bg-gray-300'); }); row.addEventListener('mouseleave', () => { row.classList.remove('bg-gray-300'); }); });});/*Estimated data API: No external API used in this example.Sample fictitious JSON response: { "vans": [ { "model": "Kia PV5 Cargo", "autonomy": 600, "load_capacity": 800, "price": 45000 }, ... ]}*/

The record set by the Kia PV5 Cargo proves that electric utility vehicles are ready to meet the challenges of performance and efficiency. This development urges everyone to reconsider what is possible to achieve in the new era of electric mobility.

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