Vatican gets its first electric Popemobile, designed for slow speeds and swivel seats

The Vatican has taken possession of its first all-electric Popemobile, making it a candidate for the heaviest-armoured electric vehicle currently in operation.

Mercedes-Benz said the “one-off” vehicle was “hand-crafted” by the car company and built in close cooperation with the Vatican.

Its electric drive-train was adapted to allow for the slow speeds required when Pope Francis makes public appearances.

The vehicle includes four electric motors near each wheel, and a height-adjustable swivel seat.

Since an assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II 1981 designs for the Popemobile have included an enclosed space featuring windows made from bulletproof glass or plastic with bullet-resistant plastic glazing and armoured plating to protect its occupant.

Ola Källenius, chairman of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG handed over the vehicle after a private meeting with Pope Francis.

In a statement later released by the company, he said it was a “special honour” to supply the zero emissions vehicle and thanked the Pope “for his trust”.

“With this Popemobile, we are also sending out a clear call for electromobility and decarbonization,” Källenius said. “Mercedes-Benz not only stands for the special and individual – but also for consistently creating the conditions for a net-carbon-neutral1 new car fleet in 2039.”

The Popemobile has been delivered in time for the Pope to attend the 2025 Jubilee, an event that takes place every 25 years in Rome.

The company supplied its first vehicle to the Vatican 94-years-ago, with the first official “Popemobile” entering into service 45 years ago, a variant on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.