Kia's Electric Van Powers Racing Simulator for Mental Health

Kia just turned one of its electric vans into a rolling gaming arcade, and it's all for a good cause.

The automotive company transformed its PV5 electric van into a mobile racing simulator complete with gaming seats and a massive 55-inch screen. The best part? The entire rig runs off the van's battery, making it completely self-sufficient wherever it goes.

Brindley Kia is loaning the vehicle to CX Auto Group for modifications through its rental service. The mobile simulator will appear at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from July 9 to 12, 2026, where it will raise funds for Men And Their Emotions (M.A.T.E), a charity supporting men's mental health.

The setup works thanks to the van's vehicle-to-load capability, which transforms the PV5 into a mobile power station. During testing, the van used just 1% of its battery charge for every two hours of gaming time. That means participants can race virtual laps for hours without plugging into a single outlet.

Leading up to the festival, content creators and professional racing drivers will compete for the fastest lap time around the track. Festival visitors can then try to beat those times, win prizes, and donate to the charity in the process.

The Ripple Effect: This project shows how electric vehicles are becoming tools for community good beyond just clean transportation. By powering charitable events off-grid, EVs like the PV5 can bring experiences to remote locations without generators or emissions. The van's efficiency means organizers can focus on their mission rather than worrying about power logistics.

The standard PV5 Cargo comes with two battery options offering ranges up to 258 miles. Kia has already showcased the van in multiple forms, including versions designed as ice cream trucks, school buses, mobile banks, and AI patrol vehicles. The racing simulator is just the latest example of how adaptable electric platforms can be.

The PV5 is the first vehicle from Kia's Platform Beyond Vehicle business, which plans to introduce two larger electric vans by 2030. Each new model promises the same versatility that makes the PV5 perfect for creative conversions like this gaming rig.

This summer festival will prove that electric vehicles can power more than just daily commutes.