Auto123.com - Helping you drive happy

Mercedes-Benz Delivers First Electric Popemobile to Vatican

The new all-electric Popemobile presented to the Vatican by Mercedes-Benz | Photo: Mercedes-Benz
Obtain the best financial rate for your car loan at Automobile En DirectSpeedy
Benoit Charette
This one-of-a-kind EV is a historic first for the Holy See and Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz Group CEO Ola Källenius yesterday personally delivered the first all-electric Popemobile to the Vatican.

The unique vehicle, based on the electric G-Class SUV, was designed and hand-built by a dedicated team over the past year. Sporting an elegant pearlescent white paint job, it has been modified to advance smoothly at slow speed during the Pope's public appearances.

“This is a special honour 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.”

- Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz, during the handover of the vehicle to the Vatican

This vehicle offers Pope Francis an emission-free transportation solution in time for the Jubilee of 2025, a holy year that attracts millions of pilgrims to Rome.

The new all-electric Popemobile, in profile
The new all-electric Popemobile, in profile | Photo: Mercedes-Benz
The new all-electric Popemobile, from above
The new all-electric Popemobile, from above | Photo: Mercedes-Benz

A unique design for specific needs
The new Popemobile’s electric motor, derived from the G580 unveiled last spring, has been specially adjusted to allow smooth movement at low speeds.

The new all-electric Popemobile, interior
The new all-electric Popemobile, interior | Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Inside, the rear bench seat has been replaced by a height-adjustable swivel seat, positioned in the centre. Two individual seats at the rear can accommodate other passengers.

To ensure the Pope's safety, the removable and raised roof offers protection from the elements.

The 1930 Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 460 Pullman Saloon
The 1930 Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 460 Pullman Saloon | Photo: Mercedes-Benz

A tradition stretching back nearly a century
Mercedes-Benz has been supplying vehicles to the Vatican since 1930, starting with a Nürburg 460 Pullman Saloon for Pope Pius XI. The term "Popemobile" appeared in the 1980s, when the G-Class model became the basis for papal vehicles under the pontificate of John Paul II.

The presentation of the new electric Papemobile to Pope Francis
The presentation of the new electric Papemobile to Pope Francis | Photo: Mercedes-Benz
The presentation of the new Papemobile to Pope Francis
The presentation of the new Papemobile to Pope Francis | Photo: Mercedes-Benz
During the presentation of the new Papemobile to Pope Francis
During the presentation of the new Papemobile to Pope Francis | Photo: Mercedes-Benz
Benoit Charette
Benoit Charette
Automotive expert
  • More than 30 years of experience as an automotive journalist
  • More than 65 test drives last year
  • Attended more than 200 new vehicle launches in the presence of the brand's technical specialists