Kia Unveils PBV Passenger Electric Modular Platform

Kia has unveiled the PBV Passenger, an all-electric modular vehicle platform designed as a versatile base for customizing various body styles, marking a potential shift in how automakers approach multipurpose vehicles. The launch model, a five-seater multi-purpose vehicle configuration, debuted recently with starting prices around 33,000 pounds, positioning it as an affordable entry into electric mobility for families and businesses.

The PBV, short for Purpose-Built Vehicle, features a flat, skateboard-like electric chassis built on Kia's E-GMP platform, allowing third-party builders to attach different cabins and bodies. This concept enables transformations into campervans, cargo haulers, or even autonomous passenger pods, according to company specifications. The initial passenger variant emphasizes practicality with huge sliding doors, a spacious interior capable of seating five, and a massive boot area that could accommodate an additional row of seats in future seven-seater versions. Kia has also introduced a cargo-focused model to highlight its load-carrying potential.

During a week-long test drive, the vehicle's interior proved functional and roomy, lacking a traditional...