Volkswagen is helping the Vatican City State recharge its environmental goals, with the carmaker supplying it with a new fleet of electric vehicles (EV).
The Vatican is pursuing a sustainable future, with the state’s “Ecological Conversion 2030” plan targeting mobility as an avenue to reduce its carbon footprint.
As such, the Vatican City wants to transition its internal combustion-powered fleet to EVs before 2030 in order to make the fleet carbon neutral.
This is where the German automotive giant comes in. Through Volkswagen Financial Services, the carmaker will supply the Vatican with just under 40 EVs from its ID electric vehicle family starting early next year.
Volkswagen ID.3
Two Volkswagen ID.3 hatchbacks have already been handed over, with other Volkswagen Group brands pitching in vehicles in the later stages of the agreement until the Vatican’s fleet is fully transitioned.
As part of its “Ecological Conversion 2030” plan, the Vatican has pledged to implement a charging network in the State and extra-territorial areas for use by its employees. It has also pledged to fulfill its energy requirements using renewable sources.
The world’s smallest nation occupies a 0.49km2 slice of land in Rome, Italy. It gained independence in 1929, and is the global headquarters of the Catholic Church and where the Pope resides.
The Pope has been vocal on environmental issues, and has acquired multiple low-emission cars thus far.
Toyota Mirai Popemobile 
(l-r) Nissan Italy managing director Marco Toro and Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello
For World Environment Day 2021, Nissan delivered one all-electric Leaf hatchback to the Pope in support of the Vatican’s environmental initiatives.
Additionally, in 2020, Pope Francis received a hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai as a gift from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan.
The Mirai was specially modified by Toyota so the Pope could stand and greet crowds while his popemobile only emitted water.
Volkswagen has been supplying EVs to more than just His Holiness. It claims that last year it delivered over 330,000 electric vehicles to customers worldwide.
