Kia has revealed far more about its Platform Past Car (PBV) technique for offering modular automobiles for last-mile supply and different makes use of, doubtlessly across the globe. And with the intensive replace, on Monday at CES in Las Vegas, it additionally supplied a glimpse of the primary a number of PBV merchandise which can be primarily completely different twists on electrical vans.
With EVs supposed for work and fleet makes use of, it’s planning to launch a complete new devoted PBV enterprise that may oversee the merchandise, software program integration, and international partnerships. That may embody international conversion (upfit) companions.
Whereas it’s already testing a few of these concepts with the taxi-focused Niro Plus in South Korea, the primary manufacturing step is Kia’s devoted PBV manufacturing unit, attributable to begin manufacturing in 2025 set to make as much as 150,000 automobiles yearly. They’ll be a rising and essential piece as Kia targets gross sales of 1.6 million EVs globally by 2030, with the PBV merchandise together with a robotaxi and autonomous-capable ride-hailing automobile.
It kicks off with the Kia PV5, a flexible, van-like automobile positioned for ride-hailing and last-mile supply. Within the PV5, a pillarless door opening and low loading top assist entry for a cargo and passengers alike.
Kia PBV Ideas
EVs that look past the skateboard platform?
The way in which these automobiles are structured and constructed often is the greatest departure from typical EVs and at this time’s fleet automobiles alike, as there’s no point out of a spotlight round a skateboard platform. To suit a technique of utilizing a single automobile chassis design to suit a complete vary of wants, these automobiles would have comparable “driver zone” areas, whereas completely different purpose-built our bodies would join above and behind.
Additional, the corporate claims that interchangeable “upper-body “life modules” could be related “through a hybrid electromagnetic and mechanical coupling know-how”—in order to successfully use the identical chassis for a taxi by day, supply automobile by night time, and private leisure automobile by weekend.
The construction beneath the PBV is weldless, based on Kia, which permits a whole lot of flexibility in adjustment. Cargo in part equipment type would assist permit completely different layouts relying on the area or objective—which might relate to items, private mobility, or logistics.
Kia PV5 Idea
Robotaxi, tall vans, room for customized builds
Kia does plan to make 5 bodily outlined variations of the PV5: Primary (vast double doorways for cargo), Van (low with maximized top), Excessive Roof (prolonged for upright loading and driver workspace), Robotaxi (passenger-oriented, operated with Motional), and Chassis Cab (solely chassis rails and cab, permitting customized physique).
Extending the imaginative and prescient properly past the PV5, Kia revealed a three-phase roadmap that “may help remodel the mobility panorama.” With it, the automaker guarantees extra fashions, superior software program, and bespoke companies.
In a second section, Kia claims that the PBVs would evolve into “AI-based mobility platforms that use information to work together with customers and assist preserve automobiles up to date.”
Additionally as a part of section two, Kia plans so as to add a bigger PV7 product line, in addition to its smallest PV1, with the latter designed “for agile and short-distance logistics transportation.”
Kia PV1 Idea and PV5 Idea
PV1 will probably be a maneuverability grasp
The PV1, Kia suggests, will probably be able to utilizing its drive modules of minimizing the turning radius in slim areas—a touch, maybe, that it would put one thing just like the not too long ago proven Uni Wheel tech or Hyundai Mobis’ e-Nook in-wheel motor setup to make use of.
These fashions may get an built-in rail system, with “rails” for the ceiling, ground, and facet panels permitting much more flexibility.
Software program is an enormous piece of the PBV rollout, too. Kia will assist present fleet administration, stock monitoring, and efficiency-focused clever route planning, whereas charging options from the corporate will incorporate schedules and breaks as specified for various wants.
The corporate at CES additionally displayed its Idea EV3 hatchback and Idea EV4 sedan fashions alongside the manufacturing EV6 GT and EV9 fashions—once more cementing the concept a kind of smaller EVs is U.S.-bound.
