Kerbside, not afterthought: Kia builds a wheelchair-friendly PV5 from the ground up

Kia adds the PV5 WAV Side Entry to its Platform Beyond Vehicle range. The compact electric van offers kerbside ramp access and a factory-built conversion under the Made-In-Plant strategy.

Kia is expanding its Platform Beyond Vehicle line-up with a new version, the PV5 WAV Side Entry. It is an electric van designed from the outset to carry wheelchair users, rather than converted later from a standard commercial model.

The headline feature — side entry. For a compact electric van this is a rare layout: the passenger can roll into the cabin straight from the pavement, which is particularly useful in cities where rear access is often blocked by parked cars or heavy traffic.

The system uses a two-section manual ramp. The maximum incline is 13.1 degrees, dropping to 11 degrees when deployed from a standard 150 mm kerb. Floor lighting is provided for boarding after dark.

Inside, the wheelchair position sits in the middle of the cabin. Different layouts are available: the conventional 2-0-3 passenger configuration, or a 2-0-1 variant with space for a wheelchair. A split-folding third row lets a companion sit alongside.

Kia is betting on factory conversion through its Made-In-Plant strategy. That means the adaptation is built into the production process or handled at dedicated centres, rather than left to the aftermarket. The approach should improve safety, durability and consistency of quality.

The floor of the PV5 WAV is reinforced, and an integrated anchorage system secures the wheelchair while the vehicle is moving. As a result, the model is aimed not only at private customers but also at taxi operators, shuttle services, social-care fleets and urban mobility providers.

In parallel, Kia is developing rear-entry versions of the PV5 WAV through its partner GM Coachwork. The line-up will include the eChorus, eQuantum and eNevada variants, with different ramps, powered systems and even the option of driving the vehicle directly from a wheelchair.

The European debut of the PV5 WAV Side Entry will take place at the Motability Scheme Live exhibition in Birmingham. For Kia it is an important step: electric mobility should be not only «green» but also accessible to people with a wide range of travel needs.