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Pope Francis receives new Opel Ampera-e

An all-electric Opel Ampera-e has been given to Pope Francis as part of the Vatican City's push to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.


The Opel Ampera-e is essentially a Chevrolet Bolt with different grilles and badging. The two cars feature the same drivetrain consisting of a 150kW/360Nm electric motor and a 60kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

Based on the NEDC standard, the Ampera-e is said to have a driving range of 520 kilometres.

The pope's new Ampera-e will play a role in the Vatican City's plan to be the first country in the world to eliminate climate change-causing CO2 emissions.

While it's a laudable goal, it should be kept in mind the Vatican City is the world's smallest nation. With an area of just 44 hectares, it has an estimated population of around 1000 people.

We're not sure how much time the pontiff has for driving, but the Ampera-e will likely be the most advanced vehicle he's piloted.

Prior to his ascension to Roman Catholicism's highest post, he took the subway and other forms of public transport in his native Buenos Aires.

In 2013, he was given a 1984 Renault 4, with around 300,000km on the clock, by Father Renzo Zocca. According to Reuters, the Pope has driven a Ford Focus from the Vatican's motor pool to events in Rome.

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