Chinese multinational corporation Envision Energy launched India’s first race car on Monday, constructed entirely from electronic waste to raise awareness about circular manufacturing and the country’s mounting e-waste problem.
The Recover-E car was showcased at an event in Mumbai’s Radio Club, co-hosted with Earthday.org under the theme “Our Power, Our Planet.”
The initiative marks the second such car globally, following the original model launched by Envision Racing and designer Liam Hopkin during the 2023 London e-Prix.
Assembled from discarded mobile phones, laptops and tablets, the Recover-E is positioned as a symbol of innovation-driven sustainability.
The car is equipped with a working drivetrain adapted from a beach buggy, a brushless direct drive motor and a robust battery system, which can be moved and driven. However, it is not intended for commercial production or regular road use.
It aims to spotlight the potential of repurposing waste and advocate for responsible design and manufacturing practices.
“This initiative is an extension of Envision’s commitment to creating a sustainable future,” said RPV Prasad, managing director of Envision Energy India. “The Recover-E car is not just a concept but a movement towards greener solutions for tomorrow.”
According to the Global E-waste Monitor, India is one of the fastest-growing generators of e-waste globally, with more than 1 million tonnes produced annually. Experts say that repurposing such waste into functional and artistic outputs is essential to reducing its environmental footprint.
James Mercer, commercial director at Envision Racing, called the project “a bold statement” and “a symbolic representation of the growing problem of e-waste and how it can be tackled.”
The unveiling coincided with Earth Day 2025, marking the 55th anniversary of the global environmental movement. Karuna Singh, regional director for Asia for Earthday.org, acknowledged the project as “proof that innovation can turn today’s waste into tomorrow’s solutions.”
With the Recover-E, Envision Energy aims to position itself as a leader in renewable energy and a catalyst for broader sustainable innovation in India.
