Kia PV5 camper 2026: DC EVLIFE specs and features

© Direct Cars

Japanese company Direct Cars has unveiled the DC EVLIFE, a camper conversion based on the Kia PV5 Passenger. The premiere took place at the Tokyo Camping Car Show 2026, and for Kia it’s a good way to show that its electric PBV can be more than a delivery van or a shuttle — it can also be a personal vehicle for short trips.

The base is the five-seat PV5 Passenger. That format matters in Japan: the vehicle stays practical for everyday driving, but can turn into a compact camper when needed. This isn’t a full-size motorhome with a kitchen and shower — it’s a lighter scenario: drive out, set up the sleeping area, plug in your gear and spend the night without a tent.

Inside the DC EVLIFE there’s a sleeping module, LED lighting with several zones, USB-C ports, AC100V outlets, ceiling lights, an AC-DC converter, side shelves and under-floor storage. There are two sleeping spots, so the van suits a couple or a parent with one child better than a large family on a long holiday.

The electric platform brings its own advantages here. There’s no need to run a diesel generator for lighting, charging gadgets or powering small appliances. A quiet drivetrain, no vibrations and the ability to power external devices make camping more comfortable — especially at campsites and in nature, where extra noise quickly becomes a nuisance. For the PV5, the project also matters for image reasons.

Kia is entering the Japanese PBV market through a partnership with Sojitz and is betting on a flexible architecture: the Passenger and Cargo versions launch first, with a seven-seat variant and a WAV model for wheelchair users to follow later. The camper adds another layer to that idea — the same body can be adapted to different scenarios of everyday life.

Direct Cars will build out Kia PBV dealer points at its own locations, including Suzuka, Atsugi and Fukuoka-Higashi. For buyers that matters just as much as a nice interior: an unusual electric camper needs somewhere to be serviced, upgraded and supported after purchase.

The DC EVLIFE isn’t trying to replace a full-size motorhome. Its job is simpler and closer to real life: let the owner of an electric minivan head out for the weekend, sleep comfortably in the car, and avoid turning every trip into a full expedition. On the same show floor, another electric camper at the same show took a similar approach based on the Nissan Caravan — the trend toward compact campers is clearly picking up speed.