TRANSLOGIC get to sample the EPIC 232se Electric Sport Boat [video]

Aol's Translogic web TV series get the chance to put the EPIC 232se electric sport boat to the test with World Champion wakeboarder Jeff Weatherall.

Fisker promises Bugatti Veyron levels of performance

The Fisker Karma is still MIA, but that hasn't stopped the company from having grand ambitions.

According to CEO Henrik Fisker, engineers are developing a new gearbox that will give their range-extended electric vehicles "[ Bugatti] Veyron levels of performance." That's not much to go off, but the executive hinted the transmission would increase the amount of torque that is sent to the wheels.

For comparison, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 2.5 seconds while the Fisker Karma takes 5.9 seconds.

Source: Autocar

Fully Charged YASA motors episode 23 [video]

In this episode of Fullycharged Robert Llewellyn makes a quick visit to the YASA motor works to see their developments in electric motor design and construction.

Linear Motor powered World's steepest roller coaster to open in Japan

A new rollercoaster in Japan - which will boast the steepest vertical drop of any ride in the world - is set to raise the bar for thrill-seekers.

On July 16th, the Fuji-Q Highland Amusement Park, in the shadow of Mount Fuji in Yamanash, will unveil the stomach-flipping Takabisha ride - an attraction that includes seven major twists over 1000 metres of track, and a nerve-jangling drop of 43 metres.

The Takabisha, which translates as 'dominant' in English, relies on a combination of gravity and a set of linear motors on the cars. These accelerate the coaster to speeds of 100kmph. Riders experience weightlessness as they 'nosedive' down the sharp incline, before later being plunged into darkness.

Source: Daily Mail

Japanese Government gives Green Light to 500 km/h Maglev [video]

Central Japan Railway Co. or JR Tokai, said Friday it had received a directive from Transport Minister Akihiro Ohata to proceed with construction of a maglev train line between Tokyo and Osaka.

JR Tokai said in a statement: "As the main sales and construction body, we will strive to carry out the Chuo Shinkansen project as soon as possible, with the cooperation of municipalities and others."

The project is estimated to cost a total of 9.03 trillion yen and will link Tokyo and Osaka in 67 minutes by train running up to 505 kph, compared with the bullet train’s current 145 minutes..

The railway operator will continue with its environmental assessment and start construction as early as 2014.

The firm hopes to open the maglev line between Tokyo and Nagoya in 2027 and extend the line to Osaka by 2045.

Google's Electric Vehicle Fleet Infrastructure [video]

Over the last few years, several innovative electric vehicle (EV) technologies have emerged in the marketplace and Google, have been working to update their green transportation infrastructure.

They now have over 30 electric plug-in vehicles in 'Gfleet' -- their car-sharing program for Googlers. They also have developed the largest corporate EV charging infrastructure in the US.