Kia Corporation is partnering with BraunAbility to develop the PV5 WAV, a wheelchair-accessible version of the automaker’s electric PV5 vehicle created to transport both people and cargo.
The PV5 WAV was on display at April’s New York International Auto Show in Manhattan.
An announcement from Kia described the PV5 WAV as a concept model compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and “as the United States’ first-of-its-king PV5-based electric wheelchair-accessible taxi and rideshare offering. The PV5 WAV New York Taxi and Rideshare concept is designed to meet two key pillars of future mobility: sustainability and improved ADA-compliant accessibility for wheelchair users.”
Noting the vehicle’s “real-world production feasibility,” Kia said the PV5’s platform “has been engineered specifically to support conversions, to help reduce the complexity of modification and allow conversion partners to provide optimum quality while reducing cost.”
The PV5 WAV includes integrated wheelchair tiedowns and passenger restraints “that are always available, supporting a consistent securement process.”
Kia and BraunAbility “will engage government agencies, fleet operators, disability advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders to gather additional input and refine the vehicle based on their feedback,” the announcement added.
“Kia’s collaboration with BraunAbility benefits those involved, expanding the existing product portfolios of both companies in the U.S. market, while aiming to offer greater quality and choice to vehicle operators and improved mobility to WAV users,” said Sangdae Kim, Kia’s executive vice president and head of PBV [Platform Beyond Vehicle] division. “I can think of no better place to unveil our production-ready concept than one of the most iconic taxi markets in the world, and Kia is looking forward to continually collaborating with BraunAbility on the PV5 WAV offer sustainable mobility to more users.”
“For years, New York has been told it has to choose between zero tailpipe emission vehicles and accessibility,” said Craig Schrimsher, BraunAbility Americas’ president. “The PV5 WAV is proof that the same taxi can deliver both, by combining Kia’s dedicated EV platform with BraunAbility’s wheelchair-accessible design leadership.”
Image courtesy Kia
