built from iPhones, laptops, batteries – and other electronic waste

Race towards you at breakneck speed – and it’s sustainable! (Image sources: Image Craft via Adobe Stock; Envision Racing)

A Formula 1 racing car assembled from old mobile phones, laptops and MP3 players?

No, this vehicle is not a fever dream of high-speed fanatics, but was actually presented at Formula E. For those who didn’t already know: Formula E is, so to speak, the environmentally friendly version of conventional Formula 1.

On the eve of the final race of the 2022/23 Formula E season, a truly unusual racing sled was presented in London: a formula electric car whose paneling was patched together from old mobile phones, laptops, MP3 players, batteries or e-cigarettes .

But convince yourself of the unusual utility value that can be obtained from old devices

The racing car should not only raise awareness of the environmental pollution caused by electronic waste, but also be roadworthy.

A special eye-catcher, especially for fans of the manufacturer from Cupertino, is the front wing of the vehicle. Because it consists of yellow, orange and red iPhones.

Who is behind this crazy Formula E car?

For the project, the British racing steel “Envision Racing Formula E Team” has teamed up with the artist Liam Hopkins. The man is best known for his artistic works in the field of sculptures, product design and installations – and now also for Formula E cars built from electronic scrap.

Do you want more powerful impressions of the fantastic vehicle? Click through the image gallery below. All photos are by Liam Hopkins.

But where did the racing team and the artist get their components from? School children and British technology company Music Magpie donated discarded equipment.

Music Magpie’s involvement is not surprising. The British company specializes in buying and selling used media items. Founded in 2007, the company initially dealt primarily in used CDs, DVDs and video games. In the meantime, the British have expanded their business to include all kinds of electrical items, including smartphones, tablet computers and game consoles.

By the way: Anyone who appreciates mobility, but prefers to saddle up their bikes less in high-speed vehicles, could be interested in the following product.

Is the scrap Formula E car more than just advertising?

By 2030, annual e-waste production is projected to reach a worrying 75 million tons. To put the rather abstract figure in a curious way: the Eiffel Tower in Paris, for example, weighs around 10,000 tons. An elusive number in itself. Calculated on the basis of the 75 million tons of e-waste, the annual amount generated in 2030 will peak at a weight of 7,500 Eiffel Towers in Paris.

To put it bluntly – and actually unimaginable: just think of 7,500 scrapped Eiffel Towers before you throw your veteran mobile phone, worn-out laptop or outdated PC in the bin.

What actually is Formula E?

While the proverbial Silver Arrows in the well-known Formula 1 race with a combination of a 1.6-litre V6 turbo engine and battery power, the Formula E cars are entirely electric. This is more sustainable, but also less efficient. A conventional Formula 1 vehicle achieves 1,000 hp, compared to a Formula E car just under half as much, as planetf1.com writes.

By the way: If you miss the smell of burnt rubber on the asphalt when reading this article, you can go to the virtual track with F1 23.

Unfortunately, the »Formula 1 car with the idea of ​​sustainability« did not roll onto the starting straight for any real race. But the vehicle could bring about a rethink in the Formula 1 industry.

Do you think that the throwaway society is a problem, or do you follow the motto “After me the deluge!”? Do you think it’s commendable if thrown away devices get a second life with the campaign? Please let us know what you think about it in the comments.