- Vatican aims for carbon neutrality in its vehicle fleet by 2030, starting with two Volkswagen ID.3 electric cars.
- Agreement with Volkswagen Financial Services includes delivery of 40 electric vehicles by 2030.
- ‘Ecological Conversion 2030’ plan involves EV charging stations, encouraging Vatican employees to switch to electric cars.
The Vatican City has just taken delivery of two new Volkswagen ID.3 electric cars. This marks the start of the state’s strategy for its entire vehicle fleet to be carbon neutral by 2030 by switching to EVs. The move is part of its wider ‘Ecological Conversion 2030’ plan, which includes sustainable and carbon-neutral plans across other sectors. Volkswagen will deliver another 40 Volkswagen ID. electric vehicles to the Vatican by 2030. The deliveries will include the ID.3 hatchback, the ID.4 compact SUV, and the ID.5 SUV coupe.
The agreement is taking place through the company’s Volkswagen Financial Services arm, with more Volkswagen-branded EVs being supplied to the Vatican from next year. Further down the line however, the agreement will also include the delivery of other EVs from the larger Volkswagen Group. As part of the transition, the Vatican will also install numerous EV charging stations within the state and at Vatican properties within Rome. These will be available for Vatican employees to use, in order to encourage them to switch to electric cars. It remains to be seen whether the Pope’s personal transport, which is also used for his visits across the globe, will also be switched to an electric option from the Volkswagen group.
Imelda Labbé, Board Member for Sales, Marketing and After Sales, Volkswagen Passenger Cars
“The electrification of fleets is becoming increasingly important across the globe. The fact that Vatican employees will now also be among our ID. drivers in the future is a great target and honor for our brand and underscores the attractiveness of our all- electric ID. models”.
Dr. Christian Dahlheim, CEO, Volkswagen Financial Services
“We are delighted to support the Vatican in this important project. This is something very special for us and shows that we are absolutely competitive with our mobility solutions.”
