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  • Kia PV5 Electric Van Sets World Record with 431-Mile Range on a Single Charge


Kia PV5 Electric Van Sets World Record with 431-Mile Range on a Single Charge

“The fact that much of our target audience for this van variant could operate for almost two full working days on a single charge speaks volumes about its real-world capability.”

Marc Hedrich, president and CEO of Kia Europe​

Kia has made history with its all-new Kia PV5 electric van, setting a Guinness World Record for the greatest distance travelled by an electric van on a single charge with a full payload.

During an official record attempt in Germany, the Kia PV5 covered an astonishing 430.84 miles (693.38km) on public roads — all while carrying a full 690kg payload. The test route, located north of Frankfurt, was designed to mirror a delivery van’s real-world daily operations, including towns, villages, roundabouts, and traffic lights.

Behind the wheel were Christopher Nigemeier, a senior engineer from Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre, and George Barrow, editor of Van Reviewer. Together, they drove over 22 hours, completing 11 full laps of a 36.2-mile loop before the PV5 finally came to a stop during its 12th.

Real-World Efficiency from Kia’s Next-Generation EV
With an official WLTP combined range of 258 miles (unladen), the PV5’s record-breaking performance demonstrates Kia’s cutting-edge electric vehicle technology. Despite carrying a full payload, the electric van averaged an impressive 6 miles per kWh from its 71.2kWh battery.
Kia’s internal testing shows that every additional 100kg of payload reduces range by only around 1.5%, proving that the PV5 is built for genuine working capability — not just lab-based efficiency figures.
A Record That Redefines Commercial EV Capability

Speaking after the record was confirmed, Marc Hedrich, President and CEO of Kia Europe, commented:

“The fact that many of our target customers could operate for almost two full working days on a single charge speaks volumes about the real-world capability of the Kia PV5.”
The official Guinness World Record required a minimum of 300km (186 miles) — a benchmark the PV5 comfortably doubled.
Behind the Scenes: The Drivers’ Experience
George Barrow described the challenge as both gruelling and rewarding.
“We used every eco-driving technique we knew. Even with steep climbs and heavy cargo, the PV5 handled it all with remarkable comfort and composure.”
Independent inspectors from TÜV Hessen and Buck Vermessung, along with a Guinness World Records adjudicator, verified the attempt — ensuring accuracy and transparency from start to finish.
After more than 22 hours of continuous driving, the PV5 coasted to a smooth stop, securing its place in the record books as the most efficient light-duty battery-powered electric van with maximum payload.
The Future of Electric Vans Is Here
The Kia PV5’s world record is more than a headline — it’s a statement of intent. With exceptional range, durability, and real-world efficiency, Kia is redefining what businesses can expect from an electric commercial vehicle.
Whether used for deliveries, logistics, or fleet operations, the Kia PV5 proves that zero-emission transport doesn’t mean compromise.
Key highlights:
  • 430.84 miles achieved on one charge
  • Full 690kg payload carried
  • 6 miles per kWh efficiency
  • Officially certified Guinness World Record

The Kia PV5 – engineered for endurance, built for business, ready for the road ahead.

Mazda 3 interior

Other things I enjoyed were the leather steering wheel, which felt tremendous, and a sense that nothing was going to break or fall off. Things I didn’t enjoy? Well, there are some significant blind spots, there isn’t much space in the back and while the boot is huge, the opening isn’t. You have to think of it, really, as a postbox. But if that’s an issue, you could always buy the hatchback.

And then there was the infernal bonging. Before setting off I’d spend hours trying to disable all the idiotic safety features — something that 41 per cent of drivers do, a recent poll discovered — but there was always something I’d forgotten. So, for no apparent reason, I’d be driving along and the racket would start up again.

Only on my final day with the car did I discover a little switch down by my right knee that shuts everything up. I’m not sure how this is allowed under EU law, which says you can’t just push an “everything off” button. But Mazda has obviously found a loophole.

This, though, is the Mazda way. The company began by making corks and tricycles but with war looming switched to the production of rifles. The war didn’t go well for Japan, and especially for Mazda, which was based in Hiroshima, but somehow it came out on the other side as a carmaker. And ever since it has always dared to be a bit different.

There was the longstanding flirtation with Wankel rotary engines. Years after everyone else gave up, Mazda persevered. In the Seventies, however, Ford took a stake in the company and you might think that would spell an end for individualistic thinking. Nope. Because at the precise moment every other carmaker gave up on the idea of a small, affordable two-seater convertible, Mazda came up with the MX5. It also launched a van called the Bongo and a hatchback that had wheels seemingly lifted from the bottom of a grand piano. Today, in partnership with Toyota, it is developing upholstery made from corn starch. And that brings us back to the 3.

This is the most impressive and satisfying car I’ve driven for quite some time. It’s quiet, understated, beautifully made, extremely clever and, as a result, a flick to the electric car lobby’s nutsack. And it’s available in something called soul red crystal, which — and I don’t usually like red cars — is the best colour currently available on any car anywhere.

***

The Clarksometer: Mazda 3 Saloon 186PS Exclusive-Line

Engine: 1998cc, 4 cylinders, petrol

Power: 183bhp @ 6000rpm

Torque: 177 lb ft @ 4000rpm

Acceleration: 0-62mph: 8.1sec

Top speed: 134mph

Fuel: 54mpg

CO₂: 118g/km

Weight: 1,391kg

Price: £29,255

Release date: On sale now

Jeremy’s rating: ★★★★ 1/2