Pope Goes Electric Thanks to Renault

Sign up for daily news updates from CleanTechnica on email. Or follow us on Google News!

 
Due to what can only be described as a preternatural desire to elevate the mobility-impaired, car-maker Renault has donated two electric vehicles to the Vatican for the specific use of His Holiness Benedict XVI.

The Popemobile has definitely increased in stature and style since Pope John Paul II started riding around in that little golf buggy of his back in the 90s. The new pair of Renault vehicles are based on the Kangoo Maxi Z.E., measuring 4.6 metres in length and 1.8 metres in width, with a 44kW (60hp) electric motor and a lithium-ion battery which ensures an average NEDC combined-cycle range of 170km.

The vehicles were presented to His Holiness last Wednesday, September 5, by Renault’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn during a visit to the Pope’s summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.

“This donation to His Holiness is a means for Renault to reaffirm its strong and durable commitment to sustainable development and respect for the environment,” said Monsieur Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault Group.

Converted with the help of French constructor-coachbuilder Gruau, both vehicles can seat up to four people. The cars are both obviously intended for use by a public figure, as they come with two “particularly comfortable separate seats at the rear,” an opening roof, removable rear side windows, high rear side doors, and electrically folding doors to facilitate getting in and out.


 
Chip in a few dollars a month to help support independent cleantech coverage that helps to accelerate the cleantech revolution!
 
And yes, if you’re wondering, I definitely could have come up with a more irreverent title for this post. Don’t tempt me, folks!

Source: Renault


Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Want to advertise? Want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.

Latest CleanTechnica TV Video


Advertisement
 
CleanTechnica uses affiliate links. See our policy here.

Joshua S Hill

I'm a Christian, a nerd, a geek, and I believe that we're pretty quickly directing planet-Earth into hell in a handbasket! I also write for Fantasy Book Review (.co.uk), and can be found writing articles for a variety of other sites. Check me out at about.me for more.

Joshua S Hill has 4403 posts and counting. See all posts by Joshua S Hill