Retrofitting vehicles to make them wheelchair accessible always presents problems. Electric vehicles too present challenges in this area – with their batteries mounted below the floor, several of the options for conversions are prevented as you can’t easily stow a retractable ramp below the floor, nor can the floor be modified to lower.
There are still possibilities though – it just needs a bit of thought!
Along those lines, Kia have just shown a factory-option wheelchair accessible solution for their PV5 electric van. recently showcased at the Motability Scheme Live exhibition (in Birmingham, UK), it was shown alongside several rear-entry options from various ‘Kia approved’ UK converters.
This new option comes with a twist (literally, 90 degrees) as it utilises a side entry system – thereby eliminating the issues rear-entry systems can be plagued with, such as cars parking too close to the rear preventing re-entry or having to navigate a kerb after exiting the vehicle.
The layout is specifically optimised for urban mobility use cases, including private transport, taxi services and shuttle operations.
Whilst initially being offered withing the European and UK markets, it is to be hoped the option will be offered here once the PV5 van arrives in Australia – which is scheduled for the latter half of this year.
(The Driven have reached out to Kia Australia about the option and will report back as soon as we receive a reply).
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Bryce Gaton is an expert on electric vehicles and contributor for The Driven and Renew Economy. He has been working in the EV sector since 2008 and is currently working as EV electrical safety trainer/supervisor for the University of Melbourne. He also provides support for the EV Transition to business, government and the public through his EV Transition consultancy EVchoice.