A used Toyota Mirai turned Papamobile opens the Vatican to clean mobility

When the Pope visited Japan last November, he was able to get around the country thanks to fuel cell technology powered by hydrogen. On that occasion he used two Toyota Mirai provided to the Japanese Episcopal Conference by the brand itself. Two cars built specifically for the Supreme Pontiff’s trip, equipped with the safety measures typical of these vehicles, but with the clean technology of Toyota.

The model received the modifications needed to carry out this special mission. Its length reaches 5.1 metres, and the height of the platform from which the Pope can stand and greet the faithful raises the roof to a considerable 2.7 metres. What has not changed are the features that make it an almost unique car: its propulsion system, based on the hydrogen fuel cell.

Delivery of the Papamobile to the Vatican

Obviously, vehicles of this kind can offer little once they have fulfilled their purpose. So it has been a good idea for Toyota and the Japanese Episcopal Conference to hand this hydrogen vehicle over to the Vatican. In fact, Pope Francis is a firm advocate of technologies of this kind, which allow travel without generating polluting gases and help protect the environment.

The range of the Toyota Mirai is 500 kilometres on a full tank, which makes it very practical for the journeys the Pope makes, intended for getting around the city and on short trips. Since these take place in open spaces with a large crowd present, the absence of polluting gases is highly valued.

The Toyota Mirai, in its commercial version, has a fuel cell that allows it to achieve a range of almost 600 kilometres. This is somewhat greater than the version used by the Vatican, because it lacks the additions enjoyed by the Pope’s official car.

The Japanese model has benefited from a series of modifications in the version arriving in 2021 that improve performance and that could bring its price down to the level of an electric car, which will help make it more popular.

The construction of infrastructure with hydrogen refuelling stations will make it easier for this type of vehicle to have a wider commercial reach, so promotional actions like this put fuel cell cars in the sights of many buyers and make them increasingly popular.