Choosing an electric vehicle (EV) is an exciting step forward. And for families, drivers and business owners alike, real confidence comes from knowing your vehicle genuinely fits your life – and your livelihood!
That’s why the latest results from the Electrifying.com EV Awards 2026 are brilliant news, and why, at Hendy, we see them as a real win for our customers.
Kia has been named ‘EV Brand of the Year’, while the Kia PV5 Cargo has taken home ‘EV Van of the Year’. These awards are judged by experienced road testers who live with EVs day in, day out, so they reflect real-world use rather than headline figures alone.
“A turning point for electric vans”
This is not the first award for the Kia PV5 Cargo, which continues its success after achieving double honours at the 2026 What Van? Awards in December 2025, including ‘Van of the Year’.
Kia’s first fully electric commercial vehicle provides a practical, durable and efficient solution for business owners, tradespeople and fleet operators alike. It stands out for removing complexity, with two clear trim levels (entry-level ‘Essential’ and range-topping ‘Plus’), two practical battery sizes (standard-range 51.5kWh or long-range 71.2kWh) and a competitive starting price.
The Electrifying.com team praised its design, versatility and fantastic value. Ginny Buckley, Editor-in-Chief, commented: “The Kia PV5 Cargo feels like a proper turning point for electric vans. The brand’s EV know-how from the car world has clearly carried over – this is a van that’s great to drive, smartly designed and built to a high standard. We love the modular platform and dedicated factory approach, which cuts out the waste and compromise that so often comes with traditional van conversions.”
It’s a ringing endorsement from a team known for their extensive knowledge of the EV landscape and how vehicles stand up to real life demands. The modular ‘Platform Beyond Vehicle’ (PBV) means that further PV5 variants will arrive this year, including larger and smaller PV5 Cargo configurations. Buckley continued: “It’s brilliantly executed, competitively priced and, crucially, designed from the start to be wheelchair accessible. That kind of inclusive, real-world thinking shows…Kia has nailed the brief: an EV for everyone.”
Storming ahead
For families and everyday drivers, Kia’s EV Brand of the Year award reinforces something customers are already discovering: there’s now a Kia EV for almost every lifestyle.
From compact city cars to spacious seven-seat SUVs, the focus remains on affordability, usable range, fast charging and long-term dependability. The PV5 is available in passenger, cargo and crew versions, as well as the aforementioned wheelchair accessible version. It’s clear that Kia has no intention of slowing down, with the PV7 arriving in 2027 and the PV9 in 2029.
At Hendy, we see these awards as reassurance for our customers. Whether you’re running a business, planning family adventures or simply future-proofing your next car, Kia’s electric range is proving that EVs can be practical, inclusive and built for real life.
Come and experience the Kia range at our Hendy Kia dealership on Southampton Road. We’re proud to be the only dedicated PBV centre in the Portsmouth area.
