Kia Corporation unveiled its PV5 WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) at the Financial Times’ Future of the Car Summit in London, in partnership with UK-based Motability Operations Ltd.
This presentation highlights Kia’s continued efforts to improve transportation accessibility for people with disabilities and reinforces its role as a leader in sustainable mobility solutions.
“The PV5 WAV offers more than mobility – it empowers individuals with greater freedom and independence,” said Sangdae Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia’s PBV Division. “By combining advanced PBV technology with user-focused design, we’re working toward an inclusive future in sustainable transportation. Our collaboration with Motability Operations reflects our commitment to making that future a reality.”
Development of the PBV WAV
Kia’s work on a competitive electric wheelchair-accessible vehicle (eWAV) aligns with the growth of its PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) lineup and responds to rising global demand for accessible transportation.
Longer life expectancy and aging populations are driving the need for WAVs, prompting service providers to expand their offerings and pushing some markets to update related policies. With the gradual phase-out of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles—many of which were typically converted into WAVs—the need for electric WAV alternatives is becoming increasingly urgent.
Kia has a strong legacy of promoting accessible mobility. Since 2012, it has launched initiatives like South Korea’s “Green Trip” to support travel freedom for people with disabilities. In 2021, Kia took its efforts global, running a mobility research and demonstration project in Los Angeles to provide ride-hailing services for users with specific accessibility needs.
Kia PV5 WAV – Built to Empower Lives
The Kia PV5 WAV is designed to improve mobility not only for wheelchair users but also for their caregivers, families, and drivers. It offers a smooth transition into electric mobility, ensuring travel is more comfortable, accessible, and convenient.
The vehicle features a side-entry design that allows safe boarding from the sidewalk, along with a foldable third-row seat to assist wheelchair users with greater ease.
The side-entry version of Kia’s PV5 WAV will be fully produced at the Hwaseong EVO Plant in Korea, utilizing Kia’s in-house Made-In-Plant system. This eco-friendly manufacturing process is designed to support sustainability and make accessible vehicles more available to those who need them.
The vehicle will offer easy access from the curb, enhancing both safety and convenience. It will be equipped with a quick-deploying wheelchair ramp capable of supporting up to 300 kg, along with a specially designed belt system to secure wheelchairs safely.
In addition to these physical features, the PV5 WAV will include essential software tools tailored for people with disabilities, built on the AAOS open software platform.
Global Reach with Platform Beyond Vehicle
At Kia EV Day in February 2025, the company announced its partnership with Motability Operations, the UK’s largest vehicle leasing provider and a long-standing collaborator in the Motability Scheme. This program allows people receiving disability benefits to lease affordable, accessible vehicles, helping them maintain independence and access employment, education, and healthcare.
Through this partnership, Kia is strengthening its position as a leader in sustainable, customer-focused electric WAVs and aims to introduce the PBV WAV in more markets worldwide.
