The Kia PV5 is the brand’s most versatile commercial vehicle, supporting up to 16 body configurations. One potential application is a high-tech mobile clinic that can bring essential healthcare services closer to the population.
Recently, we got up close with a healthcare concept based on the PV5 Cargo Long, planned for real-world road trials in Indonesia. Kia’s local subsidiary developed this ‘Medical Purpose Vehicle’ concept as part of a collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), Sinar Mas Land, and Eka Hospital.
With this concept, Kia aims to demonstrate the potential of the PV5 as a vehicle that can be used as a mobile medical check-up (MCU) unit. We observed that the vehicle offers a range of basic health screening facilities on the go, including a Butterfly iQ+ pocketable ultrasound, Airdoc Retina Scan, Vitamin C Support, and an electrocardiogram (ECG).
Walking up to the vehicle, we immediately noticed the foldable patient bed, medical chair and electrocardiogram (ECG) equipment. It can supply the power needed for operating medical devices through its vehicle-to-load (V2L) bidirectional charging function.
HMG noticed that medical facilities in BSD City, a planned satellite city within the Greater Jakarta metropolitan area, are concentrated in one area, which can make them difficult to access for residents who live far away and do not have a personal vehicle. This is where the company identified a potential for a PV5-based service offering health screenings.
Starting later this year, in collaboration with Indonesian urban development company Sinar Mas Land and Eka Hospital, HMG will offer medical consultations and health check-ups through the Kia PV5 in residential complexes, shopping malls, and sports centres under a pilot project.
HMG will provide the customised Kia PV5 vehicles and handle the overall operations. Sinar Mas Land will support the construction of the required infrastructure, and Eka Hospital will provide the medical staff, operate the equipment, and deliver medical services.
In the UK, we imagine that a service like this could help the NHS reach patients in future rural communities and areas with limited public transport.
In addition to the services available today, a PV5-based mobile clinic could visit care homes, workplaces, shopping centres, and community facilities to provide basic consultations and routine health screenings closer to patients.
This could reduce the need for some hospital journeys while helping older people and others who might otherwise postpone routine checks.
The PV5 Cargo Long version on which the healthcare concept is based measures 4,695 mm in length, 1,895 mm in width, and 1,899 mm in height and has a 2,995 mm wheelbase. It offers 4.4 m³ of cargo volume.
In the UK, Kia offers the PV5 Cargo Long in two variants, one with a 122 kW motor and a 51.5 kWh NMC battery pack and the other with a 143 kW motor and a 71.2 kWh NMC battery pack. The former delivers a range of 184 miles and the latter delivers 258 miles, both as per WLTP.
Also See: We check out the Kia PV5 Cargo High Roof at the Busan Mobility Show
We’ve also seen the PV5 PBV application in a school bus, bike transporter, mobile bank, police van, pet store, and a racing simulator.
Since 2014, I’ve worked as an international automotive editor, attending global motor shows, industry events, media drives, and tracking the latest developments across the sector, with a particular focus on electrified vehicles.
