A NEW Guinness World Record has been set by Kia by completing a 430.84 drive in a fully laden PV5 Cargo, its first electric light commercial vehicle.

Fully loaded with its maximum permitted payload, the PV5 Cargo L2H1 71.2kWh covered the distance on a single charge, setting a new benchmark for efficiency and endurance in the eLCV segment.

The record-breaking drive took place under real-world conditions on public roads north of Frankfurt, Germany.

"Even if Kia is new to the LCV market, this record is a testament to the versatility and innovation behind Kia's first PBV, showing that we are serious contenders." said Marc Hedrich, president and CEO of Kia Europe.

"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. The PV5 combines efficiency, flexibility, and intelligent connectivity in one package."

The record route was designed to replicate the daily realities of delivery and logistics operations.

Engineers have specifically optimised the PV5 to maximise practical usability without compromise. Internal tests show that an additional 100kg of payload reduces the PV5's range by only around 1.5 per cent, establishing it as an efficient and dependable option for commercial operators.

The drive was continuously recorded using GPS tracking and in-cabin cameras.

Before departure, the PV5's battery was charged to 100 per cent and both the charging port and cargo compartment were sealed until the end of the 22-hour 30-minute journey.

The PV5 Cargp is the inaugural model in Kia's PBV family, and is built on the E-GMP.S architecture (Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service) and designed with a modular "building block" concept which allows for multiple configurations - Cargo, Passenger, Chassis Cab, Crew Van, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, and light Camper van - to suit a wide range of commercial and personal applications.

The PV5 Cargo L2H1 variant offers up to 4.4 cubic metres of load space and a payload capacity of up to 790kg. There are two battery options - 51.5kWh or 71.2kWh - tailored to their operational needs.