A hand-built electric campervan, built in East Sussex
From £58,385 inc VAT (2-berth) | From £62,485 inc VAT (4-berth with pop-top)
The Kia PV5 conversion makes an incredible campervan. A wider load space than the ID Buzz, a dramatically lower price, built-in Vehicle-to-Load power, and that seven-year Kia warranty. The PV5 gives you more space and more capability for significantly less money – and it’s fully electric. Zero emissions, zero fossil fuels, zero compromise on capability.
Why Choose the Kia PV5 for an Electric Campervan Conversion?
The Kia PV5 is one of the most interesting new electric vans in the UK. It was designed as an EV from the start, it gives us copious interior space, built-in V2L power from the traction battery, a long Kia warranty, and a lower entry price from new than many electric camper alternatives.
The Most Affordable Electric Campervan Base in the UK
At Sunbox, we build the PV5 in two layouts: Mandalay and Chamonix. Both are hand-built in our Newhaven workshop using sustainable materials, and both are designed to give you a complete electric campervan rather than a stripped-back camping van.
Why the Kia PV5 works so well as a campervan
The PV5 has the dimensions, electrical architecture, and price point to make a lot of sense as an electric campervan base.
More usable interior space
The PV5 gives you generous width and a well-packaged loadspace, which makes a noticeable difference to bed comfort, kitchen layout, and how the van feels to live in.
Built-in V2L power
The Plus trim includes Vehicle-to-Load, letting the drive battery power 240V appliances directly. In a Sunbox build, that means the induction hob and 240V sockets can run from the vehicle, while the leisure battery handles the everyday 12V camper loads.
A purpose-built electric platform
The PV5 was designed around Kia’s E-GMP.S electric architecture. Low floor, flat loadspace, and none of the packaging compromises that come with adapting an older platform.
Long warranty cover
The PV5 comes with Kia’s 7-year / 100,000-mile vehicle warranty plus an 8-year battery warranty. We add our own 5-year Sunbox conversion warranty on workmanship and installed materials.
Lower running costs
Home charging keeps running costs low, and the PV5 gives buyers a realistic route into a brand-new electric campervan without stepping straight into the highest-priced end of the market.
Award-Winning and Warranty-Backed
The PV5 comes with Kia’s seven-year / 100,000-mile warranty, plus an eight-year battery warranty.
Great to Drive
Despite being a van, the PV5 drives more like a car. The skateboard battery pack keeps the centre of gravity low, and reviewers consistently praise how composed and refined it feels: nimble in town, stable on motorways, and genuinely pleasant to spend time in.
Which Kia PV5 design layout suits you?
We offer two Kia PV5 layouts. Both share the same core build: kitchen, hand-built furniture, insulation, electrical system, and finish quality. The difference is how you want to use the van.
Mandalay – best for flexibility, family use, and carrying rear passengers
The Mandalay uses a rock and roll bed with two rear belted seats, giving you up to four belted travelling seats in total. It’s the more versatile layout if you want a campervan that can also work as an everyday vehicle.The Mandalay uses a rock and roll bed with two rear belted seats, giving you up to four belted travelling seats in total. It’s the more versatile layout if you want a campervan that can also work as an everyday vehicle.
Chamonix – best for couples, comfort, and a simpler day-to-night setup
The Chamonix uses a pull-out slat bed with two belted front seats only. It suits buyers who don’t need rear passenger capacity and would rather prioritise sleeping comfort and open interior space.
What will your Kia PV5 conversion include?
Every Sunbox Kia PV5 conversion includes the following, whichever layout you choose.
Sleeping and seating
- Double bed
- Upholstery in your choice of fabric, including recycled options
- Blackout curtains in your choice of colour
- Solid wood removable table
Kitchen
- Hand-built kitchen unit
- Solid wood worktop
- Stainless steel sink with electric water pump and tank
- 12V compressor fridge
- Double induction hob
Materials and finish
- Thermafleece CosyWool sheep’s wool insulation in every panel and cavity
- Sound-deadening on key panels
- Breathable carpet lining
- FSC-certified solid hardwood furniture
- Vinyl flooring in your choice of style
Electrical system
- 200Ah lithium leisure battery for 12V loads
- V2L integration for 240V sockets and induction hob
- Battery-to-battery charging while driving and from V2L on demand
- EHU connection
- LED lighting, USB and USB-C sockets
Mandalay
What’s included as standard
- Bed type: Rock and roll bed
- Belted seats: Up to 4
- Best for: Families, flexibility, rear passengers
- Day layout: Rear bench seat
- Night layout: Seats convert to double bed
- With pop-top + roof bed: 4-berth
Chamonix
What’s included as standard
- Bed type: Pull-out slat bed
- Belted seats: 2
- Best for: Couples, comfort, simplicity
- Day layout: Side bench
- Night layout: Slat bed pulls out into double
- With pop-top + roof bed: 4-berth
Purpose-Built Electric Van: No Diesel, No Compromise
The PV5 isn’t a diesel van with batteries bolted in. Kia designed it from a blank sheet specifically as an electric vehicle, on their dedicated E-GMP.S platform. The result is a remarkably well-packaged van.
V2L (Vehicle-to-Load): Power Camping Appliances From the Van Battery
The PV5 has built-in V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) capability at up to 3.68kW. In plain English, this means the van’s drive battery can power regular 240V appliances through a standard plug socket.
V2L was designed primarily as a commercial feature – so a tradesman can run a power tool or charge equipment on a job site without needing a generator. It’s a short-burst, high-convenience feature. In a campervan context it’s genuinely useful for the same kind of thing – running the occasional 240V appliance when you need it.
But it’s worth understanding what it is and what it isn’t. V2L draws power from the same drive battery that moves the van. So does the vehicle’s own climate system. They’re two different routes to the same energy source. V2L doesn’t create additional energy for heating or cooking – it gives you a convenient plug socket to access the energy that’s already there.
Kia PV5 Conversion: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a complete PV5 campervan cost?
E-Chamonix conversion starts from £20,399 inc VAT. Base vehicles start from around £32,465 (new, after Plug-in Van Grant). The conversion price and base vehicle price are separate meaning you can bring your existing van to us or source it yourself, if you prefer.
Can you install gas heating in the PV5?
Yes.
Is the PV5 as good as the ID Buzz?
They’re different vans with different strengths. The PV5 is wider and has V2L. It is currently more expensive than the cheaper used ID Buzz vans, because there are no used Kia PV5s on the market yet. The ID Buzz has iconic styling.
What about the pop-top roof?
Yes this is available!
Can I use V2L to power everything in the campervan?
V2L is a useful supplement but we don’t recommend relying on it as your only power source. Our conversions include a proper independent leisure battery system for the everyday essentials. V2L is there for higher-draw items and extra flexibility.
What’s the real-world range?
Expect 180-230 miles depending on driving style, speed, weather, and load. The official WLTP figure is 258 miles.
How long does a conversion take?
Build time depends on the specification but should be around four weeks with a lead time to order the van and get everything ready for the build.
Do you convert the PV5 Passenger version?
No — we convert the PV5 Cargo (L2/H1) only. The reason for this is that we need to remove all the trim from the load area in order to vapour barrier, line and insulate your van properly. In the people carriers, there is a lot of vehicle electrics behind that trim so it is not possible to remove it and carry out thorough insulation.
What about the wheel arch intrusions?
The PV5 has an unusual loadspace shape with deeper wheel arch intrusions than some traditional vans. Our furniture designs can account for this, it’s something we’ve worked around in the design process in multiple vans.
Interested in a Kia PV5 Campervan Conversion?
We’d love to hear from you! Please drop us an email or give us a call to organise a consultation.
Email: hello@sunboxcampers.co.uk
Phone: 07973 687950
Our workshop is in Newhaven, East Sussex. We’re easy to reach from London and the South East, with customers coming from across the UK. You’re welcome to visit our workshop to see completed conversions and discuss your project in person or over a video call.