Kia is pitching electric vehicles to police forces. The automaker said on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026 that it is showing two electric patrol car concepts, based on its PV5 purpose-built van and EV5 SUV, at the 2026 International Police Industry Expo (KPEX 2026) at Songdo Convensia in Incheon, South Korea, which runs from Oct. 21 to 24.
The two concepts
The PV5 patrol car concept is built for carrying several officers and police equipment, with a low floor and sliding doors for quicker entry and exit, Kia said. The EV5 patrol car concept offers 965 liters of luggage space under the SAE standard (566 liters under VDA), with a luggage board for storing equipment, according to The Asia Business Daily and Seoul Economic Daily. Kia gave no price, production plan or order details.
An AI patrol car is already on the street
Kia developed an AI patrol car with the Korean National Police Agency in the first half of 2026. Built on the five-seat PV5 Passenger, it carries three 4K-class AI cameras and a drone station on its roof, plus monitors inside and at the rear. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's wide-area preventive patrol unit has operated it since July, and Kia says further deployment will depend on the trial's results. From June to August, Kia also trained vehicle staff at the Seoul, Busan and South Gyeongsang police agencies on EV structure and battery management.
"We will continue to develop customized vehicle solutions that meet the needs of the police and public sector," a Kia representative said.
What it means for Tesla
Police EVs are a growing niche where Tesla is already in the conversation: Hutto, Texas, has just ordered a cost study for a three-Cybertruck police test. See our story on Hutto's Cybertruck police plan.