Fisker tasked with developing all-electric popemobile

CNN — Fisker is set to develop the first all-electric popemobile based on the carmaker’s new Ocean SUV.

The co-founders of the American electric carmaking startup, Henrik Fisker and Geeta Gupta-Fisker, had a private audience with Pope Francis on Thursday to show off the new design.

The team presented the Vatican with a concept of a modified Fisker Ocean, a sleek SUV with an all-glass cupola, giving crowds the best chance of seeing the pontiff. Fisker said the car is expected to be delivered to the Pope next year.

“I got inspired reading that Pope Francis is very considerate about the environment and the impact of climate change for future generations,” Henrik Fisker said in a statement.

The interior of the vehicle will contain “a variety of sustainable materials, including carpets made from recycled plastic bottles from the ocean,” he said.

Fisker said it got more than 16,000 orders for the Ocean, with production slated to begin on November 17.

The popemobile is the name given to custom-built vehicles used to transport the Pope at public appearances. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the vehicles are designed to protect the pontiff while allowing him to be visible to crowds.

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