04:00 06-11-2025

Kia and Motability to launch PV5 factory-built electric WAV in the UK by 2026

Kia and Motability Operations signed a memorandum of understanding to create electric vehicles tailored for wheelchair users. The new Kia PV5 and its dedicated WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) versions are slated to reach the UK market in the first half of 2026.

The factory-built PV5 WAV will be based on the Kia PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) architecture and will include a side entry and a ramp rated for up to 300 kg. Production is planned at the Hwaseong EVO plant in South Korea. The specification reads as if everyday usability was the starting point, not an afterthought.

The partners also intend to integrate bidirectional charging technologies V2H and V2G, enabling the vehicle to supply power to a home or the grid. This approach adds welcome flexibility to how owners can use and charge their cars.

This is the first time a manufacturer is offering a fully electric, factory-assembled WAV. The newcomer will be classified among new 2026 vehicles and become part of the Motability program, which focuses on expanding accessible mobility for people with disabilities. If the execution matches the brief, the PV5 WAV could make accessibility and electrification feel seamless rather than compromised.