An innovative engineer has transformed thousands of discarded disposable vapes into a functional power source for an electric vehicle, highlighting both the engineering potential of waste materials and the environmental cost of single-use electronics.
Chris Doel, a 27-year-old engineer from Warwickshire, England, spent five months converting a 2007 G-Wiz electric microcar to run on batteries salvaged from disposable vaping devices. The project represents an extension of his previous work, in which he created a battery pack from 500 vape cells that successfully powered his home for eight hours.
For the vehicle project, Doel acquired approximately 2,000 disposable vapes from a local shop, which donated their returned products. Over six months of part-time work, he methodically extracted the rechargeable lithium batteries from each device. These cells were then assembled into a custom battery pack using 3D-printed casings, with 500 cells wired in parallel groups connected in series.
The selection of the G-Wiz proved critical to the project's feasibility. Unlike modern electric vehicles such as Tesla models, which operate on 400-volt systems, the G-Wiz requires only 48 volts. This modest power requirement made it compatible with Doel's homemade battery pack. The microcar, which was purchased for £800 and seats two adults and two small children, has a maximum speed of 50 miles per hour.
During its test run last month, the vape-powered vehicle operated for two hours and covered 18 miles before the battery required recharging. Doel documented the entire process on his YouTube channel, which has attracted 164,000 subscribers interested in his unconventional engineering projects.
Safety considerations played a significant role in the project's execution. Doel invested substantial time in rewiring the vehicle and constructing a protective enclosure for the battery pack to contain potential fires. He also secured liability insurance for approximately $700 annually, a cost he described as reasonable given the experimental nature of the power source.
The engineer dedicated five hours daily on weekdays and twelve hours on weekends to complete the conversion and navigate the necessary legal documentation. He described himself as possessing the mindset of a determined problem-solver, stating that once an idea takes hold, he remains committed to its completion.
While the vape battery pack has since been replaced with two Tesla battery modules running specialized software, the vehicle continues to serve as Doel's primary mode of transportation. The successful experiment demonstrates both the technical viability of repurposing discarded electronics and the substantial waste inherent in disposable vaping products.
Doel has emerged as an advocate against the planned obsolescence of disposable vapes, which he characterizes as fully rechargeable power sources being discarded after minimal use. He describes these lithium batteries as valuable resources that end up in landfills within days of purchase, representing both an environmental hazard and a waste of recoverable materials.
The engineer has called for manufacturers to prioritize rechargeable products with extended lifespans and recyclable components, arguing that such changes would support the development of a circular economy. His projects serve as practical demonstrations of the potential locked within items typically classified as waste, challenging both consumer habits and manufacturing practices in the electronics industry.