Mercedes-Benz Delivers First All-Electric Popemobile Ever

Members of Mercedes-Benz’s leadership team were at the Vatican today to deliver the first-ever electric popemobile. God’s representative on earth (depending on who you ask) took delivery of the modified G-Class outside St. Peter’s Basilica.

The SUV’s roof was cut off at the B-pillar, where a glass box can be added to allow the Pope Francis to wave to the public. His seat, located where the second-row bench seat would normally go, is now height adjustable and able to swivel, to allow his holiness to greet the public from all sides. Behind him, two additional seats have been added to the vehicle. The pope’s seating area can also be equipped with a roof in case the weather turns on him.

Although the changes to the body were the most significant, they weren’t the only ones Mercedes made to suit its papal duties. Based on the all-electric G-Class, the powertrain was adapted to suit the low speeds at which the vehicle normally travels. As with previous popemobiles, the new vehicle is finished in classic pearl white.

The new popemobile’s delivery was timed to allow Pope Francis to use it for the 2025 Jubille, an event that takes place every 25 years and for which millions are expected in Rome.

“With the new Popemobile, Pope Francis is the first pope to be travelling in a fully electric Mercedes-Benz when making public appearances,” said Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius. “This is a special honour for our company, and I would like to thank His Holiness for his trust.”

Although this is the first electric popemobile, Pope Francis has had a special interest in electric vehicles and previously accepted a vehicle from Fisker, which was set to produce an electric popemobile before going out of business. That would have been a significant change for the papal transport, which has intermittently been provided by Mercedes for almost a century. Pope Pius IX was the first pope to receive one of the automaker’s vehicles, in 1930. He travelled in style with a Nürburg 460 Pullman Saloon. The G-Class has been the foundation for the popemobile since the 1980s, when Pope John Paul II starting using the SUV.