Kia is positioning its electric vehicles as tools for law enforcement. The automaker has converted its EV5 midsize SUV and PV5 van into police patrol concepts as part of a wider effort to bring greener vehicles to police fleets.
The two concepts were displayed at the 2026 International Public Security Industry Exhibition in South Korea. Both carry custom lights and sirens, along with dedicated police badging on their sides. The event's theme this year was "A New Era of K-Public Security by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics," which gave Kia a platform to present its latest security equipment and technology.
Electric cars have several traits that suit police work, including instant torque, lower maintenance needs and near-silent operation. Some police departments have already used electric patrol cars for years, among them models such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Tesla Model Y. Kia is now aiming to compete in that market.
For the EV5, Kia pointed to what it described as "best-in-class" interior space and luggage capacity of up to 965 liters. The patrol version adds a luggage board designed to hold equipment and other supplies.
The PV5, a five-seat electric van, serves as the basis for Kia's AI Patrol Car. Earlier this year, Kia developed that vehicle together with the Korean National Police Agency and has since been running training programs aimed at introducing electric vehicles into police use.
The PV5 AI Patrol Vehicle is fitted with three 4K AI cameras and a drone landing pad on the roof. The cameras at the front and rear use artificial intelligence to detect dangerous situations and automatically alert the driver. According to the source, the system can recognize weapons such as guns, knives and bats, as well as emergencies like a person collapsing.
The roof-mounted drone is used for ground surveillance, and the docking station charges it while the vehicle is on the move. The drones carry advanced thermal imaging cameras with 90X zoom, which can read license plates and locate someone who is fleeing on foot.
Kia's AI Patrol Cars have been operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Wide Area Prevention Patrol Division since last July.
"We intend to showcase the competitiveness of Kia's electrified mobility and its potential for use as police patrol vehicles," a Kia official said. The company plans to keep developing custom solutions for police and other public sector users based on its electric vehicle lineup.
