By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

Kia Corporation (Kia) and Motability Operations Limited, the company which runs the Motability Scheme in the UK, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Nov. 4, reaffirming their mutual commitment towards electrification and enhancing personal mobility through care for the environment.

The key objective of this collaboration is to bring to market an affordable, fully electric, side-entry Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), while advancing inclusive mobility through Kia’s Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) lineup to meet the accessibility and electrification needs of all individuals.

The WAV will be designed, built and sold by Kia, and based on its PBV architecture. Motability Operations will support the development process by providing customer insights into the UK WAV market. The partnership aims to ensure disabled people that need WAVs will have more affordable options to choose from, whether vehicles are built in plant or converted by specialists.

Kia’s first PBV model, the PV5, will be introduced as a passenger vehicle in the UK market under the Motability Scheme, with locally converted WAV variants available in first half of 2026. The PV5 WAV is expected to enter the market in late 2026.

Through this strategic collaboration, Kia aims to enhance the quality and marketability of its PBV lineup, beginning with PV5 and extending to future models such as PV7, and potential WAVs produced directly at Kia’s manufacturing facilities.

“There is no better demonstration of the commitment towards Kia’s vision of ‘Sustainable Mobility Solutions Provider’ than the innovative independence that the PV5 WAV offers to those facing mobility challenges,” said President Ho Sung Song. “The signing of this MOU with Motability Operations reinforces our commitment to leading a future where ‘Mobility for All’ is both sustainable and a basic human right.”

“The eVITA concept was built to create a conversation about inclusive design. This new MoU with Kia shows that vision is becoming a reality, with factory and conversion eWAVs that are built with accessibility in mind from the beginning.,” said Andrew Miller, CEO of Motability Operations.

“By sharing our customer and WAV market insight with Kia’s design teams, we’re taking the next step toward creating a purpose-built electric WAV. This collaboration supports our long-term goals and helps us take the next step in creating a purpose-built electric WAV to protect disabled people’s mobility through the EV transition.”