Even the Pope Has Had an EV Epiphany
It’s good to have friends in high places, as the first customer for the all-electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class has just found out.
Delivered to the smallest country in the world, Vatican City, the new owner is none other than Pope Francis, who makes history in the process.
Mercedes has been making Popemobiles for almost 100 years, supplying a Nürburg 460 Pullman Sedan for Pope Pius XI in 1930, and a 300 Landaulet for John XXIII, a 600 Pullman Landaulet and a 300 SEL Landaulet for Paul VI. The G-Class was first provided to John Paul II in the 1980s and the model has also been used by his successors Benedict XVI and Francis.
The new Popemobile, however, will be the first green machine to be run as a Vatican vehicle and it has been extensively modified for the purpose. The roof has been removed at the B-pillar and the rear seats ditched in favor of a height-adjustable swivel seat for the pontiff and space for two extra passengers. On the left side the rear door has gone, while the right rear door has been reversed to allow easy access to the pope’s platform. In case of rain there’s a removable hard top.
It took a year to perfect the Popemobile in a collaboration between teams in Graz, Austria, Sindelfingen, Germany and Rome, Italy. “From the first sketch to the final sign-off, the team’s work was characterized by great passion, professionalism and respect for the task,” says Development Engineer Klaus Millerferli. “The vehicle represents an incredible amount of manual labor and passion—but it’s also full of state-of-the-art technology. The fact that Pope Francis has invited some of us to hand it over personally really tops everything off. It’s an experience that you’ll tell your grandchildren about.”
Beneath the bespoke bodywork is the regular running gear of the new G580, meaning there’s a 116 kWh battery pack and four permanently excited synchronous electric wheel motors. In total there’s a mighty 579-hp and 859 lbft of torque available, although that’s hardly likely to be required on official duty.
“We build the perfect Mercedes for every customer—including, for almost 100 years, the Vatican,” adds Sales & Marketing boss Britta Seeger. “We are overjoyed to be able to fulfill the Holy Father’s wish for an electric Popemobile and are particularly proud to be able to build the vehicle according to his requirements.”
Yes but how far and fast do you go in a throne chair?
The market is already having an epiphany on them. They aren’t for everyone. The $7500 waste of money tax credit can’t get cut fast enough.
I appreciate the joke but I wouldn’t really call it an epiphany. Francis has been a staunch environmentalist for quite a long time. So at least to some degree he’s practicing what he preaches. Despite a rather rocky relationship in the past, today the Vatican does have one hell of a science department. Even though Frank was less than thrilled with Steven Hawkings conclusions about the creation of the universe he still praised his contributions. So I can think of a lot worse people to get a free car.
Idiocy is not limited to the average man. This article proves it.
Nothingburger
It’s a rolling electric wheelchair for a man in a wheel chair. So excited?
Its more of a ’90s Nissen pickup truck with a squarish-bubble top grafted on than a wheelchair. And having all the weight of an EV battery pak down low likely keeps it from easily tipping over in turns.