Kia launches electric van that can disassemble its body

Kia PV1 and Kia PV5

For each model, Kia offers four distinct body styles: the base, van, high-roof, and cab chassis. The front end is almost identical in design and interior, and thanks to the ability to self-assemble, the cars can be easily swapped with each other through joints. According to Kia, this can help turn a cargo van into a taxi in just a few minutes.

"KIA PV will start a new era to make life easier for users," Karim Habib, head of Kia Global, told the press.

Kia representatives also confidently said that the brand has truly decoded the weaknesses of electric vehicles, allowing the car body to be interchangeable without affecting the battery system installation location.

Kia explains that the reason for the interchangeable bodies is the vehicle’s flexible chassis. These vans have a split design, including the driver’s seat and the body, connected by joints and electromagnetic anchor points.

Kia PV5

Although not explaining the technology inside in depth, through the videos shown, Kia also clearly shows the ability to quickly and flexibly swap the body on its new van models through electric modules.

In addition to the ability to swap bodies, the PV1, PV5 and PV7 are also equipped with accompanying software to help customers manage goods and bodies when needed. However, the software is not yet officially operational.

The automaker has planned to open a factory dedicated to this model in Korea. The factory is expected to go into operation in 2025 with a capacity of about 150,000 vehicles/year.