AN American electric vehicle maker plans to supply Pope Francis with a new popemobile that will run entirely on battery power and feature a solar roof and carpets made of recycled plastic bottles from the ocean.
“I got inspired reading that Pope Francis is very considerate about the environment and the impact of climate change for future generations,” Henrik Fisker, co-founder of the Los Angeles-based Fisker Inc, said.
Mr Fisker met with Pope Francis during Laudato Si Week in the Vatican and provided the pontiff with drawings of the vehicle his company plans to deliver by the end of 2022.
The unique design of the new popemobile is based on the Ocean electric SUV, the first product Fisker plans to have in production later this year.
Several configurations will be offered to the public, including one capable of running 480 kilometres between charges.
The version earmarked for Pope Francis, however, will feature a unique, hand-built cupola in which he will be able to stand and wave to the public during his travels.
The bulletproof glass canopy will be hidden within the SUV’s roof until needed by the pope. It will then rise up with the touch of a button.
This is the second zero-emission vehicle that Pope Francis will receive.
Last year, Japanese carmaker Toyota delivered a specially customised version of its Mirai fuel-cell vehicle, one of three hydrogen-powered vehicles on the market.
The Toyota popemobile has not seen extensive use, however, mainly because of the challenges of finding a readily accessible source of hydrogen during the pontiff’s travels.
While some competitors likely will quibble with Henrik Fisker’s claim that the Ocean is “the most sustainable vehicle in the world,” it does forgo traditional luxury materials like leather in favour of alternatives derived from recycled soft-drink bottles and plastics reclaimed from the ocean.
