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Fiat donates 30 electric vehicles to Vatican in sustainability push

July 9, 2026 · 1 min read

Fiat will donate 30 electric vehicles to Vatican City State to support the daily operations of employees of the governorate as part of efforts to advance more sustainable mobility and reduce the environmental impact of its fleet.

The Italian automaker said the vehicles will be used for internal operations and will help improve transportation within the Vatican through low-emissions mobility.

The initiative is part of the Ecological Conversion 2030 program launched by the Governorate of Vatican City State in 2023. The plan calls for the gradual decarbonization of the Vatican’s official fleet, with the goal of reaching zero emissions by the end of the decade.

The first phase of the project took place June 30 with the delivery of 20 Fiat Topolino vehicles. The handover was held on the esplanade in front of the Governorate Palace and was attended by Archbishop Emilio Nappa and lawyer Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, secretaries-general of the governorate, as well as Olivier François, CEO of Fiat and chief marketing officer of Stellantis.

The fleet will be completed with the addition of 10 Fiat TRIS vehicles, also fully electric.

The Ecological Conversion 2030 plan goes beyond the…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (15) 🌐 Show original

Василий Петров

It’s good that we started with small electric cars; Topolino is just right for the narrow Vatican streets. I wonder how long they will actually travel in winter, when the batteries run out in the cold. The main thing is that it is not just for show, but really works.

Ελένη Κωνσταντίνου

Good thing they started with the small Topolinos, they fit the narrow streets of the Vatican. But with 30 electric cars, how are they going to charge them all together in there? I hope it's not just for the photos.

Marija Stojanović

Good thing they started with Poplars, they are really small and easy to get through those Vatican streets. But I wonder how much those 10 TRIS will cost to charge when they all start at the same time - we don't really have space for big chargers in the Vatican. Let's see if they will really reach zero emissions by 2030 or if they will remain on paper.

Daniel Wilson

Those little Topolino cars do look like the right size for the Vatican's tight streets. I wonder how they'll handle plugging in all 30 at once without tearing up the old infrastructure around the Governorate Palace. Let's see if they really hit zero emissions by 2030 or if it's mostly ceremony.

John Johnson

Those little Topolino cars do look perfect for the narrow Vatican streets like Vasily said. I’m more curious how they’ll keep all 30 charged without overloading the old grid around the Governorate Palace. Hope the whole Ecological Conversion 2030 plan actually gets them to zero emissions instead of just looking green for the handover photos.

Αντώνης Οικονόμου

Good thing they started with the little Topolinos, they really fit the narrow streets around the Government Palace. But with 30 electrics together, how will they charge them without loading the old network? Let's see if they really get to zero by 2030, not just for photography.

Marko Savić

You made a good point about those Poplars, they are really practical for narrow streets. As for TRIS charging, I think they will have to put a couple of fast chargers by the garage behind the Governorate Palace, otherwise it will be crowded. We will see if it will really work by 2030 or if it will remain halfway.

Антон Орлов

I agree, Topolino in narrow alleys is what you need, I rode one of these in St. Petersburg a couple of times in the center, it’s convenient. But with winter, you’re right, in cold weather the battery actually runs out faster, in our store employees with electric cars complain. I wonder if they will still use them in winter or leave them for the warm season?

Milica Marković

I agree, Topolino is perfect for those narrow passages, my husband drove a similar one around Niš and says that it can park in the palm of your hand. For TRIS, I would add that they should think about solar chargers on the roof of the garage, so as not to burden the grid. Whether it will actually reach zero emissions by 2030 remains to be seen, but at least they have started.

Γιώργος Λαμπρόπουλος

You're right, Topolinos are perfect for those narrow alleyways next to the Palace. But they are charging it with the new photovoltaics they have installed in recent years, so I don't think they will charge the old network. Let's see if they actually keep it until 2030 or if it stays on paper.

Ζωή Λαμπροπούλου

Yes, Topolinos are perfect for those narrow streets. I, who work in the hospital, see how easily they come in and out without disturbing. Really, do you have any idea if the TRIS will use them mainly for material transport or for personnel?

Светлана Кузнецова

Yes, Topolino is really convenient in narrow streets, as you say. Here in Rostov, I also saw such cars a couple of times from friends, but in winter they put them in the garage, because in the cold the battery quickly runs out. And in the Vatican the winters are mild, maybe this won’t be a problem?

Πέτρος Δημητρίου

Yes, the Topolinos really move comfortably in the narrow streets, I have also seen it in the center of Limassol. For the TRIS, I think they will be used more for transporting materials and small missions, because they are more practical than the Topolinos. You who work in the hospital, have you seen similar electrics used for logistics?

Ελένη Νικολαΐδου

Yes, the Topolinos do slide easily like bicycles in there, I have also seen it in the photos from the Vatican. For the TRIS, I think they will also be used for personal use, because they are a little more closed and comfortable than the open Topolinos. At the hospital, do they also use such small electric ones for the doctors' movements?

Γιάννης Θεοδώρου

Yes, in the narrow streets of the hospital I often see such small electric ones for transporting medicines and equipment, they move quietly and do not block the corridors. TRIS seems more useful to me for loads, as you say. Have you in Cyprus tried any of them?