Pope Francis has received a new, fully electric Popemobile based on the latest Mercedes-Benz G-Class, marking a significant shift in the Vatican’s efforts toward sustainability. This hand-built, one-off vehicle, which has a range of 473 km powered by a 116 kWh battery, was personally delivered to the Pope in the Vatican.
This move aligns with the Vatican’s broader efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, following previous steps to electrify its fleet. The Pope has been using ‘popemobiles’ based on the G-Class for nearly 45 years, and this marks the first time an electric version has been introduced.
Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius commented on the milestone: “With the new Popemobile, Pope Francis is the first pope to be travelling in a fully electric Mercedes-Benz when making public appearances. This is a special honour for our company, and I would like to thank His Holiness for his trust.”
The electric Popemobile joins other electrification efforts by the Vatican, including the use of hybrid vehicles since 2015 and ongoing discussions with manufacturers like Fisker. Mercedes-Benz is also focusing on a broader commitment to sustainability, aiming to have a net-carbon-neutral new car fleet by 2039.
While the electric G-Class Popemobile is a significant advancement, its 142,621 euro price tag makes it unlikely to be widely adopted by other buyers. The Vatican’s continued push for electric vehicles highlights its role in promoting global decarbonization efforts.
