Kia has established a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled by an electric van on a single charge with a full payload, underscoring the advancing capabilities of electric vehicles in commercial logistics. The Kia PV5 Cargo Long Range van completed 693.38 kilometers (approximately 430.8 miles) while carrying its maximum authorized payload of 665 kilograms (approximately 1,466 pounds).
This achievement sets a new standard for efficiency and endurance in the electric light commercial vehicle (eLCV) segment. The record-setting journey for the four-door PV5 variant, equipped with a 71.2 kWh battery, took place on September 30, 2025.
The test occurred on public roads north of Frankfurt, Germany, under authentic, real-world conditions. The route was designed to mirror daily delivery and logistics operations, featuring a 58.2-kilometer (36.2-mile) urban and extra-urban circuit.
This circuit included traffic lights, intersections, roundabouts, and typical city traffic. The van also repeatedly navigated an elevation gain of approximately 370 meters (1,214 feet).
Marc Hedrich, President and CEO of Kia Europe, stated that the record proves Kia’s serious competitiveness in the LCV market, despite being a new entrant. He highlighted that the van’s range allows many target customers to operate for almost two full working days on a single charge, demonstrating its real-world utility.
The PV5 completed the circuit 12 times over 22 hours and 30 minutes, stopping on the twelfth lap. Journalists specializing in commercial vehicles, George Barrow, and Christopher Nigemeier, a senior engineer from the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center who was part of the PV5 development team, drove the van.
Barrow expressed significant impression with the PV5’s range, noting that achieving over 693 km with a full payload is “no small feat.” He added that he believes the record will be challenging to surpass.
The entire process, including battery charging and payload compliance, was meticulously supervised. Inspectors from TÜV Hessen and buck Vermessung verified conditions. The journey was continuously tracked via GPS and in-cabin cameras.
Before departure, the PV5’s battery was charged to 100 percent. Both the charging port and the cargo compartment were sealed for the duration of the trip.