We’re accustomed to Hollywood celebrities throwing their names behind the green car movement – everyone from Leonardo DiCaprio to Cameron Diaz has been seen driving hybrid or electric cars. However, surely this celebrity endorsement is on a much higher level: spiritually at least.
That’s because the latest electric car fan is: The Pope!
Yes, his Holiness Benedict XVI is now the proud owner of not one, but two electric cars… kind of.
French carmaker Renault presented The Pope (pictured) with two versions of the Renault Kangoo ZE that have been developed to meet his mobility needs.
The first vehicle will be used when the Pope is travelling at his summer residence and is white with the Papal coat of arms on the doors. Meanwhile, the other is similar but has a blue livery with a white and yellow stripe along each flank and is meant to be used by the Corps of Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City as part of the Pope’s security.
There have been a number of adjustments made for the Pope’s benefit: including an opening roof; removable rear side windows; hinged rear side doors; and electrically folding door steps.
According to Renault chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn, the electric motor and lithium-ion battery of the Renault Kangoo ZE will also help to ensure the Pope does his bit for the environment.
“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,” he said.
Paul is a freelance writer with a background in everything from motoring to finance; and holidays to women's undergarments he just writes about them, honestly! He has now sadly crept into his early 30s and seems to have forgotten everything learned at school Still, he's a green car fanatic and isn't that what counts?
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