PRESS RELEASE

Pope Leo XIV receives two from electric vehicles from Exelentia for apostolic journeys all over the world

The idea of creating two compact electric vehicles that can be comfortably transported by air on long-haul routes and meet the highest safety standards arose from a valuable and close collaboration with the Gendarmerie Corps of the Vatican City State, which supervised and supported the individual stages of the project.

Two unique electric vehicles, the result of a combination of engineering design and the high mechanical, electronic, manufacturing and craftsmanship skills of workers and technicians who have dedicated themselves to the creation of exclusive electric vehicles, destined for the private journeys of His Holiness and above all for use on the occasion of his papal journeys. This is the tribute to Pope Leo XIV that the Exelentia team, a company founded and run by entrepreneurs Domenico and Giovanni Zappia, together with the Club Car Group, was able to personally present to the Pontiff during a private meeting held at the Papal Villas in Castel Gandolfo on 3 July last. A delegation from the two companies was present, made up of the management team and the departments involved in the realization of the project, including the technicians and mechanics who manually worked on the vehicles.

The two special vehicles – built on the basis of an electric vehicle produced by Garia, a Club Car Group company - were hand customized, with painstaking workmanship that first and foremost entailed enhancing the vehicle's total sustainability, thanks to zero emissions, both environmental and acoustic, and achieving the highest safety standards, given the need for transport on board aircraft during the Holy Father's international travels.

The Gendarmerie provided input in implementation, validating the individual project phases. It was a team effort that aimed at preserving maximum efficiency, enhanced by compact dimensions, vehicle manoeuvrability and agility when moving through narrow spaces and high pedestrian density routes, and that pushed its design beyond the obstacle.

The vehicles in question can be transported comfortably and safely on long-haul aircraft, without being disassembled, with a clear facilitation of embarkation and disembarkation operations and a marked reduction in logistical time.

ITA Airways provided a fundamental contribution to this unique project in defining the technical features, especially regarding dimensions and anchorage, necessary to be able to embark the vehicles on long-haul aircraft.

Furthermore, in order to enhance comfort of use, the bodywork was customized with the addition of a front handle and side supports placed under the armrest, so as to offer secure grips and comfort when boarding and disembarking the vehicle, which is thus suitable for supporting and accompanying the public appearances of His Holiness in cities all over the world.

Vatican City, 6 July 2025