The Pope is finally going electric. His newest Popemobile is a coach-built, specialized version of the Mercedes G 580 with EQ Technology. It's got an open-air seating area for Pope Francis, a height-adjustable swivel chair and a removable top to protect him from the elements.
Mercedes has unveiled the latest version of the Pope's open-air transportation, lovingly called the "Popemobile." The 2024 edition has gone electric, with a cut-roof design based on the awfully named "G 580 with EQ technology." Or, as everyone else calls it, the electric G.
Mercedes has a long history of furnishing His Holy Father's whips. Because the Pope's duties involve a lot of crowdwork, the Bishop of Rome has long traveled in an open-air car that allows him to greet, bless and interact with worshippers. Though a plexiglass-enclosed version was later used, people mistakenly assume that was a bulletproof setup for the Pope's protection. They're half right. According to plaques next to it at the Mercedes-Benz museum in Stuttgart, Germany, the enclosed Popemobile was designed to protect the Pope. Not from gunmen, though, but from wind and rain.
The new edition has a removable top that covers the front and top of the Pope's seat from the elements. But the sides and rear appear to be open-air, a nice sign of the Pope's openness to his followers. Pope Francis will sit in a large white plush chair, which should allow him to do some 360-degree hand-waving. As per tradition, the seat and the vehicle are a brilliant shade of white.
The all-electric powertrain will help, too, as the first all-electric Mercedes Popemobile is sure to be quieter than any internal-combustion G. (Note that Fisker, of all companies, beat Mercedes to the punch on offering an electric Popemobile "design.") It also allows him to travel emissions free, a good perk when you represent a Church that aims to protect the Earth and its people. Mercedes says the powertrain has been specially configured for the low-speed driving the Pope does, but offers no more details on powertrain changes. I'll assume, then, that the Pope's driver has access to 579 horsepower and 859 lb-ft of torque, more than you need when your main passenger is in an unrestrained swivel chair, outside and, notably, 87. No wonder Mercedes tuned it for more low-speed operation.
The G 580 also comes with a 116-kWh battery. Considering the low speeds, I expect the Pope's hand will get tired long before his car does. And with a 10-80% charge time of just 32 minutes, the electric Popemobile should be capable of a quick turnaround.
Clearly, this is a great use case for an EV, and it's awesome to see the Pope going electric. It's a small win in a world that faces many challenges on its road toward a more climate-friendly transportation sector, but it's good to have His Holiness on our side. Plus, when they see the Pope riding in silent all-electric comfort, maybe some of his followers will get a bit more excited about the electric future.
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