DIY YouTuber powers an EV using 500 disposable vapes

In a striking demonstration of both engineering ingenuity and environmental awareness, DIY YouTuber Chris Doel has unveiled a project that transforms electronic waste into functional transportation. His latest creation—a mini electric vehicle powered entirely by lithium-ion cells salvaged from 500 used disposable vapes—showcases the hidden potential in discarded electronics while highlighting a growing environmental concern.

The project centers around a 48V mini EV Reva G-Wiz, a compact electric vehicle that proved ideal for this unconventional power source. Doel repurposed a 50V battery pack he had previously built for home backup power, reconfiguring it to meet the vehicle's requirements. The process involved reprogramming the inverter to ensure it wouldn't draw more power than the salvaged battery could safely supply—a crucial step in making the system work reliably.

According to Doel, the project was motivated by alarming statistics about disposable vape waste. With over one million vapes discarded daily in the UK alone, the environmental impact is substantial. Each disposable vape contains a lithium-ion battery that, when thrown away, represents both a waste of valuable materials and a potential environmental hazard.

The engineering results are impressive. Despite being constructed from recycled components, the vape-powered vehicle achieved over 17 miles (27 kilometers) of range and a top speed exceeding 35 mph (56 kph). The battery pack maintained temperatures below 30°C (86°F) even under demanding conditions, delivering 2.07 kWh of usable energy from a theoretical 2.5 kWh capacity. This demonstrates that properly repurposed lithium-ion cells can still perform reliably even after their initial use.

This isn't Doel's first venture into repurposed battery technology. His previous projects include a fast-charging power bank, an e-bike battery pack, and the larger home backup power system that formed the basis for this vehicle. Each project builds on his growing expertise in battery management and DIY electronics, creating a portfolio that demonstrates both technical skill and environmental consciousness.

The implications extend beyond this single vehicle. If one YouTuber can extract usable energy from 500 discarded vapes, the potential scale of battery recycling becomes apparent. The project serves as both a proof of concept for DIY battery repurposing and a visual reminder of the waste stream generated by disposable electronics.

For the DIY community, the project offers practical insights into battery pack construction, inverter programming, and thermal management. For environmental advocates, it provides a tangible example of how waste can be transformed into useful technology. And for the broader public, it raises questions about the lifecycle of the devices we use and discard daily.

Doel's work joins a growing movement of makers and engineers exploring sustainable technology through creative reuse. While not everyone has the skills to build a vape-powered car, the project demonstrates that with proper knowledge and safety precautions, electronic waste can find new life in unexpected applications.

As the world grapples with both electronic waste management and the transition to electric vehicles, projects like this offer a glimpse of how innovation might address both challenges simultaneously. The question remains: how many more miles of range might be hiding in the vapes we throw away each day?