While summering in the Italian town of Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict XVI will be riding in an electric vehicle supplied to his holiness by Renault. Gratis, natch.
The bespoke EV is based on the Kangoo Max Z.E. electric van and painted in matching papal white, complete with Benedict’s coat of arms plastered on the front doors. The drive system is a 44-kilowatt motor powered by a 22-kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery. The summertime Popemobile gets about 110 miles per charge, or just enough for local appearances and slow getaways.
The interior contains two wide leather seats and an armrest where the Kagoo’s bench seating would normally reside. The doors have rear hinges and open saloon-style for easy access, and the windows are tinted, but that's about it for amenities. So about the vow of poverty....
