Kia launches Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) EVs with ultimate modularity and mobility

At CES 2024, Kia launched the Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) Electric Vehicles (EVs) to provide maximum mobility and modularity. The new PBVs combine advanced software solutions based on the Hyundai Motor Group’s software-to-everything (SDx) strategy.

Modular Design:

These PBVs are all about their modular design and are built on a single-vehicle chassis to complete mobility requirements.

For example, a fixed cab can support a variety of interchangeable upper bodies or life modules that can be connected to the base vehicle via a hybrid electromagnetic and mechanical coupling technology.

This can turn a PBV into a taxi during the day and a delivery van at night or a personal vehicle in on weekends. Kia is promising such mobility in all of its PBV models.

Under aesthetics, Kia is using a weldless body structure assembly called “Dynamic Hybrid”. It enables the length of moveable members to be flexibly adjusted based on the vehicle’s purpose.

Comprised of high-strength tubular steel and engineered polymers, typical parts are reduced by 55 percent with no loss in rigidity. The PBV could ship in standardized, convenient kit form, Dynamic Hybrid technology for quick and simple transformation.

The PBV uses materials such as bioplastic, Post Consumer Material (PCM) plastic, bio paint, recycled PET fabric, felt and yarns, and bio-PU foam.

Vehicles:

The PBVs include three platforms PV5, PV7, and PV1 divided according to their user criteria in the industry.

• PV5 is an optimized EV for commercial industries such as hailing, delivery, and utilities.
• PV7 is the largest product in the line-up with big interior space, long driving range, and enhanced features.
• PV1 is the smallest product in the PBVs for short-distance logistics transportation.

Kia Platform Beyond Vehicle PBVs

Furthermore, there’s a PBV modularity, an integrated rail system on the vehicle’s ceiling, floor, and side panels as well as on the exterior to enable better customizations of the vehicle to meet the customer requirements.

“This system enables seamless transfer of goods and items between vehicles, using cabinets and frames. The ‘rails’ within this ecosystem simplify the movement of items between vehicles, while the modular design of the ’tiles’ and functional accessories, such as speakers and shelves, offer limitless flexibility for a wide range of scenarios.” wrote Kia.

Ecosystem and development:

This new PBV will get its ecosystem that will develop PBVs with modularity including the ability to share features across all vehicles PBVs for businesses and consumers.

Kia will produce these PBVs at its EVO plant in Autoland Hwaseong, Korea. The factory has new changes that will help to produce high-quantity PBVs. This new plant will become operational in 2025 with a production capacity of 150,000 units per year.

Kia Platform Beyond Vehicle PBV

Launch Phase:

Phase One – Kia revealed that the phase of the rollout includes PV5 EVs including Basic, Van, High Roof, and Chassis Cab models. Kia also planned to launch the Robotaxi model with autonomous hailing services.

Phase Two – PBV will see two more models – PV7 and PV1 with enhanced Cabinet and frame systems with long-range connectivity and further addition of modular concept.

The mass production of PV5 will start in 2025 with subsequent sales and it will be followed by PV7 and PV1 in the following year. However, there are no actual dates announced for the sales at the moment.

(source – Kia)