Pope Francis seems like a humble person, but that doesn’t mean he can’t roll in style with the latest, most fashionable EV available … you know, the kind that could climb a mountain, but that you’re more likely to see parked over by the fancy mall. It may be a bespoke one-off, but the Holy Father isn’t the one picking it out. According to an announcement with a dateline out of both Stuttgart and the Vatican, Mercedes-Benz has presented His Holiness with the first all-electric Popemobile. And, as is tradition, it’s based on a Mercedes G Wagen.
One-Of-A-Kind Geländewagen
This papal vehicle is a customized version of the vehicle formerly known as the EQG, now officially referred to as the G 580 with EQ Technology. Mercedes says the three-motor electric powertrain has been adapted for the pope’s slow drives during public appearances. Mercedes removed the top from the B-pillar back, and replaced the rear bench with a single swiveling captain’s chair, along with two outboard seats in back for extra passengers. The left rear door has been removed, and the hinges of the right rear door have been moved to the other side. There’s a set of stairs in the very rear, with a handrail for easier ingress and egress. The Popemobile also features a removable roof in case of foul weather.
The Popemobile is painted in classic pearl white, the same color as previous Popemobiles. It just happens to perfectly match his cassock. It also bears the license plate SCV 1 (which stands for State of Vatican City).
Electric G-Wagen’s Papal Duties
Mercedes delivered the new Popemobile to the Vatican in time for its first outing at the Jubilee Year pilgrimage in Saint Peter’s square. Pope Francis invited the members of the Mercedes team responsible for the vehicle to the handover event.
“This is a special honor for our company, and I would like to thank His Holiness for his trust. With this Popemobile, we are also sending out a clear call for electromobility and decarbonization. Mercedes-Benz not only stands for the special and individual — but also for consistently creating the conditions for a net-carbon-neutral new car fleet in 2039.”
– Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius.
This also coincides with the Vatican’s environmental goals, as it plans to make all of its vehicles emissions-free by 2030. It also aligns with Pope Francis’ encyclical letter, “Laudatory Si,” in which he discusses humanity’s moral imperative to address climate change. Pope Francis will just be addressing it in style.
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