Kia’s electric van platform is expanding in significant ways for shoppers interested in custom camper conversions. The Korean automaker has introduced the PV5 Chassis Cab in the United Kingdom, marking a major shift in how buyers can approach mobile accommodations. While the vehicle hasn’t yet reached US markets, the implications for the camper industry are substantial and worth understanding now.

What the Chassis Cab Actually Is

The PV5 Chassis Cab represents a departure from traditional van designs. Rather than arriving as a fully enclosed vehicle, this configuration ships with a bare rear frame and minimal bodywork. The front section maintains Kia’s sleek styling, but everything behind the two-seat cab is open canvas waiting for conversion. This modular approach gives aftermarket builders unprecedented freedom to design custom camper setups tailored to specific needs.

The structure includes a two-door layout with a protective bulkhead separating the cabin from the rear payload area. Lighting and wheels come standard, but the rest is truly up to integrators and builders. This openness means converters aren’t constrained by factory decisions about roof height, wall placement, or interior layout.

The Battery and Range Story

custom van interior design
Photo by Clay Banks

One of the standout features is Kia’s decision to equip every Chassis Cab with the 71.2 kWh long-range battery as standard equipment. This delivers an estimated 258 miles of driving range on a single charge, a crucial metric for anyone planning extended camping trips or multi-day adventures. The fast-charging capability pushes the battery from 10 to 80 percent in approximately thirty minutes, making roadside top-ups realistic between destinations.

For camper enthusiasts, this power capacity means converters can comfortably install onboard electrical systems without worrying about a depleted main battery. The energy budget supports climate control, cooking appliances, lighting, and water heating throughout the evening and night.

Payload Capacity: A Major Advantage

The Chassis Cab carries a payload capacity of 1,005 kilograms, or roughly 2,216 pounds. This figure places it on par with much larger commercial trucks and trucks, a remarkable achievement for a vehicle based on an electric van platform. That carrying capacity proves essential when engineers are designing living spaces with insulation, cabinetry, fixtures, plumbing, and all the weight that modern camper interiors demand.

Builders already developing conversions for other platforms recognize how limiting insufficient payload can be. With this Kia offering genuine hauling strength, modular camper systems can be more ambitious in their design approach, incorporating features that lighter platforms simply cannot support.

What Interior Tech Comes Standard

Even though the rear is bare, Kia hasn’t skimped on cabin conveniences. The Chassis Cab includes a 7.5-inch instrument cluster and a 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display. Heated steering wheel and heated seats address comfort during cooler-weather camping. A comprehensive driver assistance suite provides safety features on the highway and around campgrounds.

These provisions mean buyers get modern connectivity and convenience features typically found in consumer vehicles, not stripped-down commercial equipment. This bridge between luxury and utility appeals to the growing number of camper shoppers who refuse to sacrifice comfort.

Conversion Possibilities and Aftermarket Plans

camper van cargo space
Photo by Astrobobo

Kia has already partnered with the TGS Automotive Group to develop conversion packages. Initial offerings include lightweight tippers, dropsides, and standard box vans for commercial purposes. However, the real excitement centers on custom camper builds.

The open architecture removes constraints that lock buyers into one body style or layout. Converters can envision everything from compact, lightweight sleeping rigs to full-featured mobile homes with premium cabinetry and entertainment systems. Reference designs like the Verus camper van showcase what’s possible when builders have true design freedom and adequate payload.

The bulkhead separating cab from cargo area opens multiple configuration pathways. Builders can position living spaces to maximize comfort, integrate full bathrooms and kitchens, or create minimalist sleeping-only conversions depending on customer preference.

US Availability Still Uncertain

Currently, Kia has not confirmed plans to sell the PV5 Chassis Cab in the United States. For American camper shoppers, this remains a product to monitor rather than something immediately available. The UK launch, however, signals Kia’s confidence in the platform and demonstrates serious commitment to this market segment.

If the brand brings this platform stateside, it could reshape how Americans approach camper customization. The combination of electric drivetrain, generous payload, modern tech, and open-rear design fills a niche that few competitors currently address.

Camper enthusiasts looking at upcoming vehicle options should track this development closely. The introduction of new camper van lineups and platforms suggests the market is expanding rapidly, and electric options are entering the mainstream conversation much faster than many anticipated.