Kia PV5 Cargo drove 693.38 km on one charge with 665 kg payload under real-world conditions.
Record-setting attempt was verified by TÜV Hessen and conducted on public roads in Germany.
The PV5 is Kia’s first PBV model, offering multiple configurations and battery options for businesses.
Kia’s electric light commercial vehicle, the PV5 Cargo, has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance travelled by a battery-powered electric van under full payload on a single charge. The vehicle covered 693.38 km (430.84 miles) while carrying its maximum authorized load of 665 kg with its 71.2 kWh battery.
Kia PV5 Cargo GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title/ 693.38 km on a single charge | Photo: KiaThe record-setting drive took place on 30 September 2025 on public roads near Frankfurt, Germany. Supervised by TÜV Hessen and buck Vermessung, the trial used a 58.2 km route loop that included urban and extra-urban driving conditions. The vehicle repeated the loop 12 times, encountering traffic lights, intersections, roundabouts, and an elevation gain of approximately 370 m per loop.
The drive lasted 22 hours and 30 minutes and was recorded through GPS tracking and in-cabin cameras. The vehicle was sealed prior to departure to ensure full compliance. The attempt was carried out under authentic conditions to reflect typical delivery and logistics operations.
George Barrow, a commercial vehicle journalist and International Van of the Year jury member, drove the PV5 alongside Christopher Nigemeier, a senior engineer at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center. The pair managed energy consumption to optimize range during the test.
The PV5 is the first model in Kia’s Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) program. It is built on the Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service (E-GMP.S) and designed for modular adaptability. Available in multiple configurations including Cargo, Passenger, and Wheelchair Accessible models, the PV5 targets various commercial and personal use cases.
Kia PV5 Cargo GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title/ 693.38 km on a single charge | Photo: KiaThe PV5 Cargo offers up to 4.4 cubic metres of load volume and payload capacities up to 790 kg depending on the variant. Battery options include 51.5 kWh, 71.2 kWh, and a planned 43.3 kWh version.
