Car powered by 500 disposable vape batteries boasts 18-mile range, 35mph top speed, USB-C charging port β early 2000s Reva G.Wiz gets a makeover
β‘ Quick Hits
- Powered entirely by an array of 500 reclaimed disposable vape batteries.
- Capable of hitting a 35mph top speed with an 18-mile driving range.
- Features modernized DIY upgrades, including a highly practical USB-C charging port.
Greetings from The Tech Monk. Today, we are stepping away from the usual retail deals to look at a truly incredible feat of DIY engineering and e-waste recycling. Maker Chris Doel has pulled off an absolute masterclass in hardware upcycling by taking an early 2000s Reva G.Wiz electric vehicle and powering it entirely with discarded disposable vapes.
Rather than letting perfectly good lithium-ion cells rot in a landfill, Doel harvested and wired together 500 vape batteries to serve as the car's primary power source. The result is a surprisingly capable neighborhood cruiser. This heavily modified G.Wiz boasts a top speed of 35mph and offers an 18-mile rangeβmore than enough for quick city errands.
To bridge the gap between Y2K-era automotive design and modern tech standards, Doel even outfitted the vehicle with a USB-C charging port. It is a brilliant, highly sustainable makeover that proves with enough technical know-how, the growing mountain of disposable tech waste can actually be transformed into functional, zero-emission transportation.