Electric Kia Van Becomes Camper With $2K Kit

Turning your car into a camper just got easier and more affordable than ever before.

VanLab, a US startup, just launched the first camping conversion kit for Kia's PV5 electric van. The kit assembles like IKEA furniture and transforms the vehicle into a complete mobile campsite in minutes with nothing but a screwdriver.

The PV5 already made waves last year as the first Korean vehicle to win International Van of the Year. Now it's proving it can do even more than haul passengers and cargo.

The conversion kit includes everything needed for outdoor adventures: a full-size bed, an outdoor kitchen with an induction cooktop, storage drawers, and counter space for meal prep. The van's built-in Vehicle-to-Load capability powers the electric hot plate and refrigerator directly from the vehicle's battery.

VanLab designed the system to be truly accessible. No special tools, no professional installation, no expensive labor costs. Just unpack and assemble.

The company worked with Hyundai's innovation team to showcase how the space transforms into whatever you need: campsite, remote office, dining room, or lounge area. The modular design means you can adapt it for different trips and needs.

The Ripple Effect

This kind of innovation makes outdoor adventure more accessible to more people. At 2,990,000 won (about $2,000), the kit costs a fraction of what traditional camper van conversions run, which typically start around $10,000 and go up from there.

The kit launched in Korea through Kia's official online shop and will soon reach Japan, Europe, and the UK. Whether it comes to the US depends on if Kia brings the PV5 stateside, though a recent sighting in Michigan with US-required marker lights suggests that might happen.

The broader impact goes beyond camping. As more vehicles gain power-export capabilities and modular conversion kits become affordable, people gain flexibility in how they live, work, and explore without buying entirely new vehicles.

Making adventure more accessible while reducing the need for gas-powered RVs? That's innovation worth celebrating.