Epic 23e Electric Hybrid Boat

Cars have gone hybrid, so why not boats? After all, these playthings of the rich and famous aren’t exactly prime examples when it comes to keeping the earth green by consuming as little fuel as possible. The Epic 23e plug-in hybrid boat aims to change the landscape by using its Flux Propulsion EVO 8.1 Marine Drive System that enables all-electric operation on lithium ion batteries for a specific period of time before kicking in the gas engine to power the generator that juices up its batteries. Estimates point to a 50% reduction in fuel as well as a 90% drop in carbon monoxide over a 4 hour operating time. Going green won’t come cheap though, as this 375-horsepower beauty will cost as much as $150,000 when it arrives this July, although to company hopes to release a $70,000 version by 2012.