VW ID. Buzz Cargo vs KIA PV5 Cargo – a comparison of electric vans

Electric vans are becoming increasingly common, both for companies that already have an electric fleet and for businesses considering the transition. But when the vehicle is part of the working day, the choice is not just about range and cargo space. Charging also needs to work smoothly in everyday use.

In our latest video, Max compares two electric vans: the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo and the KIA PV5 Cargo. Two vehicles that are similar in many ways, but with a few differences that may be important depending on how the van will be used.

Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo has been one of the most popular electric vans in recent years. The model we tested had a range of up to 449 km according to WLTP. It is also available with four-wheel drive, although this results in a slightly shorter range.

Inside, the ID. Buzz Cargo has a modern driver environment with a display above the steering wheel and a larger screen in the centre of the dashboard for navigation, settings and other functions. One feature we really like is the ability to manually start battery preconditioning before fast charging. This allows the vehicle to prepare the battery before arriving at the charging station, which can help improve charging performance. You can also see how fast the vehicle is expected to charge once you arrive.

The driver environment offers plenty of space, both in front of the dashboard and around the driver. There are also several charging ports for phones and other equipment.

The ID. Buzz Cargo offers 3.9 cubic metres of cargo space. The vehicle we tested did not have V2L, meaning the ability to use the vehicle as a power source. We therefore recommend checking the current equipment and available functions with Volkswagen or your nearest dealer, as options and features may vary between model years and versions.

When it came to fast charging, we arrived at the charging station with 20% battery. Since we had preconditioned the battery before charging, the vehicle quickly reached around 180 kW. In our test, the ID. Buzz Cargo charged from 20 to 80% in approximately 25 minutes.

It was a smooth charging stop during lunch at our station in Malmö Bulltofta, right next to Coop and Burger King.

KIA PV5 Cargo

The KIA PV5 Cargo is a new challenger in the electric van segment. In our test, we used the model with the larger battery, which has a range of up to 416 km according to WLTP.

The driver environment in the PV5 Cargo is quite similar to the ID. Buzz Cargo. Much of it comes down to personal preference, but the PV5 feels slightly more modern thanks to Kia’s new Android-based system. Here too, you can manually start battery preconditioning before fast charging, which is a major advantage when you want to get the best possible charging performance.

When comparing cargo space, the KIA PV5 Cargo has a clear advantage. It offers 4.4 cubic metres, which is more than the ID. Buzz Cargo. It also has a lowered load floor, making it easier to load and unload tools, parcels or other work materials.

The PV5 Cargo also has Vehicle-to-Load, V2L, which means that the vehicle’s high-voltage battery can be used as a power source. There is a standard 230V socket in the cargo area, and with an external V2L adapter, the vehicle’s charging port can also be used to supply power from the vehicle. This allows the PV5 Cargo to function as a rolling energy source, for example to charge or power tools during the working day. For companies that use the vehicle actively out on jobs, this can provide extra flexibility when electricity is needed on site.

Another detail we like is that the charging port is located at the front. This makes it easy to drive straight up to the charger and start charging, without having to think as much about which side the charging port is on.

In our charging test, we arrived with 20% battery, reached just over 120 kW and charged from 20 to 80% in approximately 25 minutes. Although the ID. Buzz Cargo reached a higher peak charging power, the total charging time was very similar between the two vehicles in our test.

What does WLTP mean?

When talking about electric vehicle range, the term WLTP is often used. It stands for Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure and is the standardised test method used to measure factors such as range and energy consumption.

It is important to remember that WLTP is a comparison value. The actual range is affected by several factors, such as speed, temperature, load, driving style and weather conditions.

For vans, this becomes especially noticeable because they have a larger frontal area and more air resistance than many passenger cars. This means that energy consumption can increase more at higher speeds, especially when driving on motorways.

If you mostly use the van in city traffic, however, you may get further than when driving at higher speeds. That is why it is important to consider how the vehicle will actually be used in everyday operations. Will it mainly be driven in the city? Will it cover longer distances on motorways? Or will it be used for shorter assignments with many stops?

Fast charging during the working day

For companies that have electric vans, or are considering adding them to their fleet, charging is an important part of the planning.

Many businesses slow charge their vehicles at the depot, at company premises or at home overnight, which often works well. But if the vehicle needs to be charged during the working day, charging needs to be fast and easy to fit into the schedule.

This is where fast charging can make a big difference. A short charging stop during lunch, between two assignments or on the way to the next customer can be enough for the vehicle to continue operating without longer interruptions.

At Nima, we build charging stations with ultra-fast chargers of 300–400 kW, strategically located close to places where people and businesses already move. Our station in Malmö Bulltofta, for example, is located near Inre Ringvägen, Coop and Burger King. This makes it easy to combine charging with a natural stop during the day.

We also have several stations in and around major cities such as Stockholm and Gothenburg, where the need for fast and accessible charging is high for both private drivers and businesses.

Which electric van is the better choice?

The KIA PV5 Cargo is a worthy challenger to the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo. The vehicles are similar in many ways, both in terms of driver environment, overall concept and charging time from 20 to 80% in our test.

At the same time, there are a few things that set them apart. The ID. Buzz Cargo reached a higher charging peak in our test and has a slightly longer WLTP range. The KIA PV5 Cargo, on the other hand, offers more cargo space, a lowered load floor and V2L, which can be especially useful for companies that want to charge or power tools directly from the vehicle.

Which vehicle is the better choice depends on how it will be used. Do you drive mostly in city traffic or on motorways? Do you need maximum cargo space? Is V2L important for your work? Or do you prioritise high charging performance during shorter fast-charging stops?

There are a few differences between the vehicles, but in the end, it comes down to what is most important for your company or your everyday use. We therefore recommend visiting your nearest dealer to compare the models in more detail.

Become a business customer at Nima

Does your company have electric vans, or are you considering electrifying your fleet? You can apply to become a business customer at Nima directly through our website.

As a business customer, you can also order charging cards for your drivers or vehicles. This allows you to collect your company’s charging on one invoice, making it easier to monitor and manage charging costs.

If you already use another charging card, such as OKQ8, Preem, Kia or Volkswagen, you can still charge at Nima. We have roaming agreements with these operators and several others, which means you can use their app or charging card to start charging at our stations.

Just remember that the price may differ when charging through a roaming partner, as Nima does not set that price. Always check the price with the operator whose app or charging card you are using before starting a charging session.

Want to learn more about roaming at Nima? Read more on our website.