EVs

Vape-Powered G-Wiz EV: A YouTuber's Bold Upcycling Project

March 5, 2026By The Register
Vape-Powered G-Wiz EV: A YouTuber's Bold Upcycling Project
Photo by Etienne Girardet / Unsplash
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AI's Take|Why it Matters?

YouTuber Chris Doel has ingeniously powered a G-Wiz electric vehicle using 500 disposable vape batteries. This ambitious project showcases an extreme form of upcycling, transforming electronic waste into a functional power source for a car.

Reklam

In a world increasingly focused on sustainability and creative problem-solving, some individuals truly push the boundaries of what's possible. Our dear Mobikolik.com readers, prepare to be amazed by YouTuber Chris Doel, who has taken the concept of upcycling to an entirely new level. He managed to power one of the UK's most recognizable, and perhaps polarizing, electric vehicles – the G-Wiz – using an astonishing 500 disposable vape batteries!

For those unfamiliar, the G-Wiz was an early electric quadricycle that became something of a cult classic (or a punchline, depending on who you ask) in the UK. Known for its compact size and modest performance, it wasn't exactly a powerhouse. Yet, Doel saw potential where others might have seen only a quirky EV and a mountain of electronic waste.

The project itself sounds like something straight out of a mad scientist's lab, but with a green twist. Disposable vapes, while convenient for users, pose a significant environmental challenge due to their integrated batteries and plastic components, often ending up in landfills. Doel's ingenious approach involved painstakingly extracting and repurposing the lithium-ion batteries from these discarded devices. Imagine the sheer dedication required to collect, test, and assemble 500 individual power cells into a functional battery pack capable of driving a car!

This isn't just a quirky experiment; it's a powerful statement about resourcefulness and the hidden potential in what we consider waste. While it's certainly not a scalable solution for mass EV production, Doel's "vapemobile" highlights a critical issue: the growing e-waste problem, particularly from single-use electronics. It challenges us to rethink how we design, consume, and dispose of products. Could micro-scale energy harvesting from discarded electronics become a more common practice?

The implications here are quite fascinating. Beyond the immediate shock value of a vape-powered car, this project nudges us to consider the lifecycle of our gadgets. It also serves as a testament to DIY innovation, showing that with enough ingenuity and a willingness to get hands-on, remarkable feats of engineering can be achieved even with unconventional materials. What other "waste" products might hold untapped energy potential, just waiting for a visionary like Chris Doel to unlock them?

So, the next time you see a discarded vape, perhaps you'll look at it a little differently. It might just be a tiny piece of a larger, greener puzzle waiting to be solved by the next generation of upcycling pioneers. Chris Doel's G-Wiz isn't just a car; it's a symbol of creative sustainability, reminding us that sometimes the most impactful solutions come from the most unexpected places.

Reklam

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