https://newatlas.com/campervans/kia-pv5-pop-up-camper-sussex/
I found this interesting article dated 2/27/26. It seems Sussex Camper Conversion Company in the United Kingdom was also sidelined by the micro cargo van production stoppage!
Sussex previously used the Nissan NV200 cargo van to install their camper conversion popups and market them as both petrol (gasoline) and EV versions. However, their e-NV200 camper van could only achieve 124 miles (200 KM) maximum distance on a single charge. Like the American camper conversion company Recon, Sussex also was taken by surprise when Nissan ended their NV200 production after 2021. Reasons given were “lagging sales and a shift in their business model”. Like i previously posted, this occurred during the Biden administration. And other manufacturers of fuel efficient, 4 cylinder vans (Mercedes Metris, Ram Promaster City, Ford Transit Connect) ended their smallest cargo and passenger van productions! Why? These four cylinder micro vans are used primarily by the Trades, and small local businesses. They were slated to become electric cargo vans before 2030.
However, weather concerns and a change of political administrations in 2025 put a halt on these EV productions. Salt water flood fires and extremely cold climates made consumers question the rationale of owning a low mileage range, electric vehicle. Even though Tesla has drastically extended the mileage range. Tesla electric vehicles last between 260 and 405 miles on a single full charge, depending on the model. However, real-world mileage fluctuates heavily based on driving speed, wheel size, battery weight, climate, and terrain.
And now Kia is manufacturing a PV5 electric van platform made in Korea.
European consumers who go to Sussex UK will be among the first ones to purchase a Kia e-PV5 converted camper van in the near future.
Sussex Camper Conversion Company currently packages electric equipment like a dual-burner induction cooker, 50-L fridge/freezer, microwave and LED lighting with a 12-V leisure battery and 240-V shore power hookup. Sussex estimated base price for the upcoming PV5 camper van: £68,995 (approx. US$93,025). It invites those interested to sign up for additional information via its website, linked below.
https://www.sussexcampervans.com/our-vans/kia-pv5/
And you can bet Canada will jump into the e-PV5 camper conversion business long before the United States! There have been physical sightings of the Kia PV5 electric passenger vans in North America a few months ago. Kia already has a Canadian dedicated website for their vehicles.
https://www.kia.ca/en/vehicles/pv5
The electric Kia PV5 is expected to arrive in the United States in the second half of 2027. While the van has been a massive hit in Europe and South Korea (and is slated to launch in Canada), U.S. availability has been delayed. Several factors have slowed its American debut:
Supply Constraints: Exceptionally high global demand has limited manufacturing bandwidth, restricting initial inventory outside of Asia and Europe.
Import Tariffs: The ongoing 25% “chicken tax” on imported light trucks heavily dictates how and when Kia can import the PV5. Globally, the highly modular EV starts at under $50,000, comes in both Cargo and Passenger (up to 7-seat) formats, and features a range of over 250 miles.
Micro Van Life 