Electric campervans have been talked about for years. Most of what’s been offered over the last few years has been compromised: Too little range, too much weight, manufactured by companies with no dealer network or ones no one has heard of. The Kia PV5/7 range changes that. It’s been designed from the ground up as a EV and Wellhouse has built the conversion the way we build everything else: Tested properly, fitted properly, and backed by a name that’s been doing this since 2002.
We’ve built this the way we build every Wellhouse conversion: properly, and without cutting corners. The PV7 will have the same conversion as the PV5 but bigger inside and will be a 5 seater.
Coming 2027 will have similar spec to the KIA PV5 more details to follow.
Coming 2027
When will the PV7 be available ?
The LWB version is supposed to be around September 2027 and the SWB in 2028.
Q) Will the conversion affect the Kia warranty?
A) No. We are building the campervan in accordance with Kia’s body-builder standards and are enrolled in the Kia Converters Programme, so the conversion will not affect the Kia warranty.
We will also provide you with a build certificate containing details of the conversion. If the vehicle needs to visit a Kia dealer, you can show this certificate to them.
Q) What electrical systems will the PV5 campervan have?
A) It will have a combination of three systems.
We know that some converters are relying solely on the vehicle’s propulsion battery. This is fine when the vehicle is fully charged, but we do not think this is enough, particularly if you are wild camping.
V2L system
V2L stands for Vehicle-to-Load. This allows you to use the vehicle’s propulsion battery to power the campervan’s mains electrical system. However, once the vehicle battery drops to around 20%, it can no longer be used for leisure power.
Mains hook-up
Just like a conventional campervan, you can connect the PV5 to a mains electrical supply at a campsite. This protects the vehicle battery and charges the campervan’s 12V system.
Additional 12V electrical system
The campervan comes with a lithium leisure battery and a solar panel. Therefore, if you do not have access to a mains hook-up and the vehicle battery is below 20%, you still have the leisure battery as a backup.
Camper/Campsite to base van charging
We have set the electrics up so you have your campsite charger to the campervan mains but then you have a 3-pin external socket where you can plug in the slow charger lead to charge the vehicle prolusion battery.
Q) Can I charge the base vehicle through the conversion's mains hook-up?
A) Yes. Our aim, although this has not yet been confirmed, is to provide an external socket. When the campervan is connected to a mains supply, you will then be able to charge the base vehicle’s battery using the slow-charging lead.
Q) Can I make changes to the conversion?
A) No. The reason is that it takes months to design and develop the complete conversion. Everything is designed to work together, and making individual changes can cause problems.
We also prefer all our campers to be built to the same standard, as this helps to protect their future values.
Adding small extras is not normally a problem, but we do not generally make changes to the main conversion. However, you are always welcome to ask us so that we can check.
Q) What optional extras are available?
A) We will be offering a range of extras, including awnings, hot water system, towbars, bike racks, roof bars and a microwave. These are now on the website with prices.
Please remember that adding optional extras can affect the campervan’s overall weight and carrying capacity.
Q) Can I have a scenic elevating roof and a different-coloured canvas?
A) Yes. The scenic canvas, which can be opened up, is a £300 optional extra. You will also have a choice of canvas colours.
Q) What colour choices are available?
A) You will have:
Q) Why do you offer both passenger & Cargo versions
A) There are several reasons.
Originally we were only going to do the van version but Kia have since brought out the even higher spec Elite passenger version that has a lot more extras and higher payload. Since we started to offer this then more than 50% of the sales are based on the Passenger version.
Q) I am VAT-registered and would like to supply my own van so that I can reclaim the VAT. Can I do this?
A) Yes, you can on the van version. Alternatively, we can supply the van to you first with a VAT invoice and then carry out the conversion.
However, you should consult your accountant before doing this.
Q) Can you convert a vehicle that I supply?
A) Yes, we can. However, it does not normally work out any cheaper because we receive significant discounts on the vehicles, which we pass on to customers to keep our prices at their current level.
Q) Why do you put so much emphasis on safety and compliance?
A) You might get bored of hearing us talk about safety and compliance, but it is extremely important. We have been building campers for nearly 25 years and selling them well before that.
Unlike some other European countries, almost anyone in the UK can decide to build a campervan. Once the vehicle is registered and on the road, it can sometimes feel as though “anything goes”.
When you buy a new car, it has been through all the relevant approval and safety processes, so you know exactly what you are buying. With campervans, it does not always work in the same way, and it is down to the purchaser to check how the vehicle has been built.
We are not saying that other companies are doing anything wrong. We are simply saying that it is worth asking how your campervan has been designed, built, tested and approved.
Q) What is the NCC?
A) The NCC, or National Caravan Council, is the UK trade association for the touring caravan, motorhome, holiday caravan and residential park-home industries.
Founded in 1939, it represents hundreds of member organisations throughout the supply chain, including manufacturers, dealers and park operators. It helps to set safety standards and promote industry best practices.
Q) What is the seat testing, and why is it important?
A) The simple answer is safety.
The Kia PV5 campervan seat system has already been through the required testing process in Germany, passed the tests and received its certification.
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Websites are great for sending information and showing what Wellhouse do but you can’t beat a phone call and its always better to speak with us ahead of a visit so we can discuss in more detail what we can offer and your requirements.
We have plenty Ford Customs available but only SWB, some 170ps models and then later in the year lots of Automatic SWB models. On the Toyota Proace we only have 1 left and we are not planning on building anymore.
On Japanese campers we have unlimited supply of Toyota Alphard and Nissan Serena and we will have the first side converted Serena ready towards the end of March. We also have some Nissan Caravans on route from Japan as well.