KIA is entering the van market with its all-electric PV5 that is a true multi-role vehicle.

Designed to be everything from a passenger carrier to a load-lugger that can take up to 4.4 cubic metres of cargo it is set to transform the LCV market.

With a very competitive entry price of £22,465 after the Government's plug-in grant for low emission vehicles it has a range up to 249 miles and a rapid recharging time of less than half-an-hour to 80 per cent battery capacity.

Without VAT it can be had from £27,645 while the PV5 Passenger ‘Essential' entry-grade is priced from £32,995 on-the-road.

Two power versions will be available - one with a 51.5kWh battery and the long range 71.2kWh model - with the smaller capacity model having a range of up to 181 miles.

Shorter than the likes of a Ford Transit Custom, the PV5 is 4.695 metres long and has a tight turning circle of 10.8 metres meaning it is very manoeuvrable,

At a shade over 1.9 metres high the PV5 can access most car parks and it has been built with features to keep maintenance costs as low as possible such as a three-piece front bumper enabling only damaged portions to be replaced.

We have just been given a preview of the PV5 in its van-oriented Cargo specification which comes with two wide-opening rear doors and a low load height of less than 42 centimetres.

Two sliding side doors can be specified - one is standard on the nearside - and maximum payload is 790kg for the standard range version with the longer range model capable of carrying up to 690kg.

The recharging port is sited at the front above the bumper and a full charge can take up to 10 hours from a 7kW charger for the long range model, seven hours for the smaller battery.

As well as the Cargo and Passenger PV5s Kia is also offering Crew and Chassis Cab variants with other lengths and heights slated to arrive later. All are built in a new factory in Korea.

The PV5 is front-wheel drive and has a top speed limited to 84mph with the PV5 Passenger having a best 0 to 62mph acceleration time of 10.7 seconds.

The passenger model will be a five-seater with space for up to 1,320 litres of luggage - fold the back seats and there is 2,315 litres available.

In the cab there is a 7.5-inch digital instrument panel for the driver as well as a 12-inch central display which can use either Apple CarPlay of Android Auto.

The PV5 had its UK debut at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham and first deliveries are scheduled later in the year.

A larger PV7 is planned for 2027 with a PV9 due for introduction in 2029.