The Popemobile has gone electric in tune with changing times.
Mercedes-Benz has delivered its first fully electric Popemobile to Pope Francis, continuing a tradition of supplying vehicles to the Vatican for 94 years.
The handmade vehicle, based on the new electric G-Class, was presented by Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius and key team members during a ceremony at the Vatican.
The vehicle aligns with Pope Francis’s call for sustainable practices, as outlined in his encyclical “Laudato Si,” and will debut locally emission-free travel during the 2025 Jubilee, an event expected to draw millions to Rome.
The electric G-Class, customised specifically for papal use, incorporates a drivetrain adapted for low-speed public appearances.
The vehicle features a height-adjustable single seat, additional seating for passengers, and an open-top design with a removable hardtop for weather protection. Painted in the traditional pearl white, the Popemobile maintains its distinctive appearance while integrating advanced electric technology.
Mercedes-Benz said the project would help promote decarbonisation as part of the company’s goal of achieving a net-carbon-neutral car fleet by 2039.
The design and construction of the vehicle involved collaborative efforts from Mercedes-Benz teams in Graz, Sindelfingen, and Rome, with each team contributing specific expertise. Development spanned about a year, combining traditional craftsmanship with innovative engineering.
Mercedes-Benz has a longstanding relationship with the Vatican, supplying vehicles since 1930.
Past models include the Nürburg 460 Pullman for Pope Pius XI and later adaptations of the 300 Landaulet, 600 Pullman, and various G-Class models.
Notably, John Paul II popularised the term “Popemobile” with his modified G-Class in the 1980s.
Some retired Popemobiles are displayed in the Vatican and the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, showcasing the evolving designs through decades of collaboration.
