The Vatican Opts for a Green Heaven: Volkswagen Supplies an Electric Fleet to the World's Smallest State
In a groundbreaking move towards sustainability, the Vatican today announced that it will replace its entire government fleet with electric vehicles from the Volkswagen Group. This remarkable decision was formalized when Pope Francis, the head of the Vatican State, received the first two electric cars.
The plan is ambitious and innovative: next year, Volkswagen will deliver nearly 40 electric models, including the ID.3, 4, and 5, to the Vatican. In the years to come, more electric vehicles from the VW Group will follow, with the aim of making the entire Vatican government fleet electric by 2030. This unprecedented shift towards electric mobility is financed by VW Financial Services and seamlessly aligns with the Vatican's goal to become carbon neutral by 2030.
It's not just about replacing vehicles; the Vatican is also investing in an electric mobility infrastructure. Alongside installing multiple charging points within the city-state itself, charging facilities will be implemented at Vatican properties in Rome, extending the sustainable mobility revolution beyond Vatican City alone.
The electric cars will be entrusted to drivers responsible for ferrying bishops, dignitaries, and maintenance teams around the Vatican and Rome, as well as facilitating deliveries and other operational tasks.
The pinnacle of this historic change occurred when two ID.3 Pro Performance units, symbols of a greener future, were handed over to the 86-year-old Pope Francis. Directors Imelda Labbé and Christian Dahlheim from Volkswagen and Volkswagen Financial Services were delighted to personally present these vehicles to the Pope.
A question on many people's minds is whether even the iconic papal vehicle, currently a white Mercedes, will eventually be replaced by an electric Volkswagen. While no concrete information has been disclosed on this matter, it remains an intriguing possibility for the future.
This exciting development not only marks a milestone for the Vatican but also serves as an inspiration for global institutions to commit to sustainable mobility and a greener planet.
With the rise of electric vehicles within the sacred halls of the Vatican, a powerful message of environmental consciousness and progress is being sent, a message that transcends the boundaries of this small state and will impact the global movement towards a more sustainable future.
