Motability Ireland, in association with Kia Ireland, launched the Kia PV5 WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) at the end of May, for which they're the exclusive distributor. We were up in Ashbourne for the launch.

Specifications & Wheelchair Support

It's built upon the Kia PV5 (Passenger), the headline specifications for which are:

• Battery: 71.2kWh

• Range: 412km WLTP

• Charging: 11kW Type 2 (AC); 150kW CCS (DC)

• Cargo space: 1,330l

It's into that cargo space that Motability Ireland's their wheelchair accessible conversion works. First up, you'll notice the power tailgate's a great opening angle, while at the base you'll find a foldable wheelchair ramp (It's noted that in some jurisdictions side-entry is used, though rear-entry was deemed preferable in Ireland).

The ramp's 32" wide & supports an up to 350kg load, which will more than suffice loading / unloading of passengers, & indeed that more than satisfies the National Transport Authority's SPSV requirement for a WAV too (300kg). It's also worth noting that wheelchair-accessible service levels are a key priority of the SPSV Regulatory Action Plan 2026-2028.

When not in use the ramp can be stowed upright, with minimal change in visibility. It can also be folded flat, & in this configuration an up to 100kg load can be placed atop it.

Folded flat	Stowed upright
Folded Flat (Closed)	Stowed Upright (Closed)

 

Wheelchair Use

So, how you get your passenger into (or out of) the vehicle? Well, once you've opened the power tailgate you:

1. Release the ramp.	2. Use the straps to bring the ramp down.
3. Power on the tie-downs.	4. Connect the tie-downs to the front of the wheelchair, power off the tie-downs (so they will retract only, i.e. no roll back) & push into back.
5. Clamp rear tie-downs into floor & ratchet  until secure.	6. Connect the seat belts (shoulder, lap).

Stow the ramp upright, close the power liftgate, & you're good to go.

Test Drive

We took the Kia PV5 out for a quick test drive, stopping off at Ashbourne Retail Park. Some nice touches included the relevant side's blind spot camera automatically appearing on indicating, & appearing on the relevant side of the dashboard too. Despite it's size, parking sensors & rear camera made it trivial enough to reverse back into spaces too.

It's worth repeating here that the Kia PV5 WAV's a conversion of vehicle with a 412km WLTP rated range, i.e. it's well capable of travelling significant distances between charges. Indeed, that is one of its big appeals, that whether you're driving around Dublin City on-duty, or travelling from Galway to Donegal, you shouldn't need to stop & charge.

Cost & Purchase Incentives

The Kia PV5 WAV is available from Motability Ireland. The price BEFORE any of the significant purchase incentives available for a WAV are applied is €57,995:

• Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme (this reduces it to €44,640), or;

• WAV / eSPSV

As the exclusive distributor for the Kia PV5 WAV, Motability Ireland can help you more with those too.

This is a good start for those looking for a BEV WAV, whether for personal or commercial / organisational use, & Motability Ireland will have further such vehicles available in the coming months.