• Home
  • News
  • In-depth
  • Opinion
  • Energy
    • Wind
    • Marine
    • Solar
    • Biomass
    • Nuclear
    • CCS
    • Infrastructure
  • Policy
    • Politics
    • Legislation
    • Taxation
  • Management
    • Marketing
    • Risk
    • Skills
    • Incentives
    • Carbon Accounting
  • Technology
    • Waste
    • Recycling
    • R&D
    • Efficiency
    • IT
  • Investment
    • Carbon Trading
    • Offsets
    • Venture Capital
  • Net Zero Now
  • Events & Awards
  • Net Zero Festival
  • Industry Voice
  • Newsletters
  • Sign in
  •  
      • Newsletters
      • Account details
      • Contact support
      • Sign out
     
    • You are currently accessing BusinessGreen via your Enterprise account.

      If you already have an account please use the link below to sign in.

      If you have any problems with your access or would like to request an individual access account please contact our customer service team.

      Phone: +44 (0) 1858 438800

      Email: [email protected]

      • Sign in
  • Follow us
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • Newsletters
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
  • Free Trial
  • Subscribe
  • Events & Awards
    • Upcoming events
      event logo
      NZF Pathway - Nature 2021

      Net Zero Nature brings together global experts, business leaders, NGO’s and innovators to explore why protecting and restoring nature is fundamental to global economic prosperity, investigate the transformative changes businesses must make now to avoid extinction, and consider best practices and latest developments. Register now to secure your place for a unique day of learning, leadership and practical insight.

      • Date: 27 May 2021
      • Online Event
      event logo
      Net Zero Festival 2021

      Net Zero Festival is the world's first business festival dedicated to exploring, advancing, and celebrating the global transition to a net zero emission economy. Join us at BusinessGreen's Net Zero Festival – for leaders who won't wait until 2050 to build a better business, and a better world.

      • Date: 29 Sep 2021
      • Worldwide
      View all events
  • Net Zero Festival
Business Green
Business Green
  • Home
  • News
  • In-depth
  • Opinion
  • Energy
  • Policy
  • Management
  • Technology
  • Investment
  • Net Zero Now
 
    • Newsletters
    • Account details
    • Contact support
    • Sign out
 
  • You are currently accessing BusinessGreen via your Enterprise account.

    If you already have an account please use the link below to sign in.

    If you have any problems with your access or would like to request an individual access account please contact our customer service team.

    Phone: +44 (0) 1858 438800

    Email: [email protected]

    • Sign in
  • Hot topics
  • North Sea transition
  • Hydrogen
  • Net zero targets
  • Net Zero Finance
  • Transport

Bless - a peddle-powered Popemobile

  • BusinessGreen staff
  • BusinessGreen staff
  • 01 April 2013
  • Tweet  
  • Facebook  
  • LinkedIn  
  • Send to  
0 Comments

Pope Francis to take delivery of most low-carbon form of transport possible – if designs are approved today

Now we all know there's a new Pope in town and that the world's estimated 1.2 billion Catholics have but one question on their lips - is Pope Francis going to keep his predecessor's fleet of electric cars?

Well, like for those many other thorny religious questions, frankly the Tank doesn't have an answer, other than to say that that would be an ecumenical matter.

Related articles

  • Behind the S Curve: The failure of corporate leadership in the age of climate crisis
  • 'British wind'
  • A Budget of green miracles and disasters
  • The wrong sort of recovery?

But what we can tell you is Pope Francis is not only fond of taking the bus, as was widely reported, but will also soon take charge of the first ever pedal-powered Popemobile.

Of course this is not one of those tuk-tuks most famous for bothering tourists in London's West End. No, this is a £175,000 armour-plated, pedal-powered limousine, albeit one that boasts a range of green features.

Solar panels on the roof power the air conditioning and charge a 1.5kW electric motor, while low-voltage spotlights in the floor and roof compartment illuminate Pope Francis for his adoring public.

alt=''

The Popemobile has an operating speed of around 6mph - similar to the pontiff's current Mercedes - but according to the Environmental Transport Association (ETA), which was originally commissioned to build the vehicle by Pope Benedict, it is capable of whisking His Holiness away from any trouble at up to 40mph.

Should the designs be approved today by the Pope's private secretary, Comte Lapin du Pâques, the new Popemobile should be delivered this summer.

"Cycling is the great leveller - a means of transport as serene as it is practical and an entirely appropriate way for a Pope to travel," genuflected designer Yannick Read.

"The green credentials of the vehicle dovetail perfectly with Pope Francis' image as the people's pontiff."

And we have to applaud this most low-carbon of transport methods, even if we are struggling to shake images of the Flintstones from our minds.

  • Tweet  
  • Facebook  
  • LinkedIn  
  • Send to  
  • Topics
  • Transport
  • Technology
  • Cycling

More on Transport

Active travel and cycling have a huge role to play in decarbonising transport
    • Transport
Cycling is 10 times more important than electric cars for reaching net zero cities
    • Transport
    • 06 April 2021
Apple's headquarters in California | Credit: Apple
    • Technology
Apple reveals 110 of its global suppliers on track to meet 100 per cent clean power goal
    • Technology
    • 06 April 2021
Amazon boasts 68 solar rooftops on fulfillment centers and sort centers | Credit: Amazon
    • Technology
Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google urged to ramp-up pro-climate action lobbying
    • Technology
    • 06 April 2021
ZeroAvia claims its hydrogen-electric technology could be commercially available as soon as 2024 | Credit: British Airways / ZeroAvia
    • Aviation
British Airways leads $24.3m investment in hydrogen aircraft developer ZeroAvia
    • Aviation
    • 31 March 2021
    • Automotive
From ZEBRA to Faraday: Government promises bus and battery funding boost
    • Automotive
    • 30 March 2021
Uber Green is launching in London today
    • Transport
Uber Green: EV-only service goes live in London
    • Transport
    • 29 March 2021
    • Automotive
SMMT calls for 'fairer incentives' to encourage drivers to make switch to EV
    • Automotive
    • 26 March 2021
Sustainable aviation fuels are helping cut the emissions of the aviation industry
    • Aviation
Aviation is plotting a sustainable course
    • Aviation
    • 26 March 2021

More news

Cycling is 10 times more important than electric cars for reaching net zero cities
  • Transport
Cycling is 10 times more important than electric cars for reaching net zero cities

Research led by the University of Oxford's Christian Brand shows people who walk or cycle have lower carbon footprints from daily travel

  • 06 April 2021
Plans to expand Leeds Bradford Airport are incompatible with the UK's net zero commitment
  • Aviation
Plans to expand Leeds Bradford Airport are incompatible with the UK's net zero commitment

Approving expansion of the airport would contradict the advice of the Climate Change Committee, argues Labour MP Hilary Benn

  • 06 April 2021
Bond investors and sustainability: Is it all greenwash?
  • Investment
Bond investors and sustainability: Is it all greenwash?

With issuance of green, social and sustainability bonds expected to hit a record $650bn this year, Schroders head of sustainable credit Saida Eggerstedt tackles the topic of greenwashing

  • 06 April 2021
Apple reveals 110 of its global suppliers on track to meet 100 per cent clean power goal
  • Technology
Apple reveals 110 of its global suppliers on track to meet 100 per cent clean power goal

Tech giant reveals almost 8GW of clean power is due to come online via its manufacturing partners

  • 06 April 2021
blog comments powered by Disqus
Back to Top
  • Contact Us
  • Marketing solutions
  • About Incisive Media
  • Terms and conditions
  • Policies
  • Careers
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Newsletters
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Incisive Footer Logo

© Incisive Business Media (IP) Limited, Published by Incisive Business Media Limited, New London House, 172 Drury Lane, London WC2B 5QR, registered in England and Wales with company registration numbers 09177174 & 09178013

Digital publisher of the year
Digital publisher of the year 2010, 2013, 2016 & 2017
Loading