Pope Francis receives emission-free Popemobile from Mercedes

Popemobile Electric blessing: Mercedes makes the Pope an e-mobilist

2025-01-08 From Mario Hommen/sp-x | Translated by AI 1 min Reading Time

Francis is considered by many to be a Pope with modern views. Appropriately, he will soon be passing by the pilgrims emission-free.

The Popemobile now drives electrically.(Image: Mercedes-Benz) — The Popemobile now drives electrically.
(Image: Mercedes-Benz)

Mercedes continues the tradition of building Popemobiles even in the electric age. The latest example is a presentation vehicle converted for public appearances, based on the electric G 580 EQ, which has now been officially handed over to Pope Francis. The off-road vehicle, weighing over three tons, features a four-motor electric drive with 432 kW. A 116 kWh battery enables a range of up to 473 kilometers (approx. 294 miles).

For use as a Popemobile, the range is likely of secondary importance, as the G-Class, due to its extensive body modifications, is only suitable for short and slow journeys. Popemobiles are used for leisurely drives past crowds, for example, when the Pope is on an overseas visit or during the Corpus Christi procession through Rome.

Converted to a convertible

To ensure that the Pope is visible to everyone, the rear part of the body was converted into a convertible. Mercedes replaced the left rear door with a metal panel that fit into the door opening and was welded into the body shell. From the B-pillars onwards, the upper body parts and the roof are missing. The vehicle was painted pearl white in the tradition of Popemobiles. In the rear, the back seat was replaced by a centrally positioned, height-adjustable, and rotatable single seat. Behind it, two individual seats for additional passengers were installed on the sides. Should the weather not cooperate during a ride with the Popemobile, a cap roof offers protection from rain.

Gallery

The rear of the Popemobile is similar to the bed of a pickup truck, open to the sides and upwards.(Image: Mercedes-Benz)

If it rains, a large roof can be placed over the papal throne.(Image: Mercedes-Benz)

The basis for the new Popemobile is the Mercedes G 580 EQ.(Image: Mercedes-Benz)

The back seat was removed, and instead, a comfortable single seat that can rotate was installed.(Image: Mercedes-Benz)

Mercedes-Benz looks back on a long tradition of specially crafted representational vehicles for the Vatican. The first of such vehicles was a Nürburg 460 Pullman limousine for Pope Pius XI from 1930. This was later followed by a 300 Landaulet, a 600 Pullman-Landaulet, a 300 SEL, and in the 1980s, the first G-Class, with which Pope John Paul II frequently appeared in public. It was the first vehicle officially referred to as the Popemobile.

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Date: 08.12.2025

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