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The Pope Gets 2 New EVs

Pope Benedict, known as the 'green' pope, acquires an electric Popemobile and security van.

By Claire_Martin Sep 7, 2012 11:26AM
Pope Benedict XVI photo from Renault video screenshotYesterday, Pope Benedict XVI took his reputation as the "green" pope a step further by adding two new electric vehicles to his automotive fleet. French carmaker Renault donated the vehicles, which are based on a light commercial van called the Kangoo Maxi Z.E. and which use an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery.

One of the new vehicles is a so-called Popemobile; Benedict will use it at his summer residence 15 miles from Rome. The other, a navy van, will be used by his security detail at the Vatican. 

During Benedict's tenure, the Vatican has begun using solar panels to meet its energy needs, and the church donated enough trees to a Hungarian park to offset the Vatican City's carbon emissions, according to reporting by The Daily Beast. It was the first sovereign state to go carbon-neutral.

The vans, which have a reported range of 105 miles, join an electric vehicle donated to the pope by Italian automaker NWG in July. 

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26Comments
Micha
Sep 15, 2012 7:00AM
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Always ahead of the curve... We need more trees and less polution everywhere.
Joe Inbornone (32779)
Sep 15, 2012 8:44AM
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Why not his Holiness receive an electric car, he shows that he is most interested in conserving eneregy.   God Bless you Holiness.
rich seguine (RichS)
Sep 12, 2012 6:48AM
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All u church bashers need to get a life. How clean are you?
news replies
Sep 15, 2012 11:51AM
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Catholics are paying for his new electric car.  The church has billions of dollars in its scandal ridden banks.  Why not donate it to the poor like christ intended. 
Pray4us
Sep 12, 2012 7:09AM
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Such jealousy!!! Nothing wrong with someone donating to the church founded by Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago!! Yes, that's true history, search it.  The church that never claims to be the perfect church, but the true church.  So yes, we do have sinners such as pedophiles, tell me what church doesn't have sinners???  That's why Jesus gave us the Catholic Church!
John N.IL
Sep 12, 2012 4:56AM
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Sorry I meant Renault but I said Fiat
Scott Krell (ny to az)
Sep 12, 2012 6:18AM
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Of course Renault donated them.  The church is worse than the British royals when it comes to hoarding every penny.  They both have trillions socked away...
John N.IL
Sep 12, 2012 4:55AM
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So Fiat donated them to get some publicity? Go figure.
Dannyo65
Sep 12, 2012 6:22AM
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The Catholic church needs to save  all the $ they can get to help with the law fees when it comes to protecting those  pedophile  priest!!!
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