Private owners can also purchase it.
Kia is not just an automaker. The South Korean company prefers to refer to itself as a “sustainable mobility solution provider”. The description is not marketing jargon. It refers to the company’s intention of selling purpose-built cars. In 2025, a dedicated line of PBVs will debut. Until then, existing models have been converted for specific purposes.
The Niro Plus is the leader in this field, designed for taxi operators and ride-hailing but also made available to private owners as a regular model to allow them to camp or do other similar leisure activities. Based on the crossover’s previous generation To provide more legroom, the vehicle has been extended by 10 millimeters (0.4 inch) For added headroom, the most noticeable change is the higher roof. It has been raised by 80mm (3.1 inches) to make it more visible.
Kia mentioned that the Niro Plus would be sold in Australia as well as overseas markets. The crossover is expected to be sold as both a PHEV or EV. The taxi derivative will be based on this. The vehicle’s door cards and seats are smaller than the original to maximize interior space.
Grab handles are mounted on the Bpillars to make it easier for passengers to access. Door reflectors were also installed to increase passenger safety. While the interior remains largely unchanged, Kia will provide a taxi-specific display. The display will include a digital tachograph and taximeter as well as navigation. Voice control and OTA updates support have also been confirmed.
The first dedicated PBV will be available in 2025. It is expected to be a midsize vehicle with “inherent scalability”. This will allow Kia to reach its goal of becoming the market leader in the PBV segment by 2030.
The Niro Plus, which was introduced in Korea in February, joins the Ray Van as the first van with a single seater that was designed specifically for small cargo delivery.