A wheeled vehicle is disclosed where that vehicle includes at least one disk, i.e. wheel, and a plurality of permanent magnets disposed around that wheel. The vehicle further includes a frame, where the wheel is rotatably connected to that frame. The vehicle further includes a source of electric power, and one or more electromagnet assemblies, each assembly comprising a first electromagnetic pole and a second electromagnet pole, where the first electromagnet pole and the second electromagnet pole are separated by a gap, and where one or more electromagnet assemblies are disposed on the frame such that each of the plurality of permanent magnets sequentially passes through the gaps in each assembly as the wheel rotates. The vehicle further includes a control unit capable of receiving power from the power source and selectively providing power to the one or more electromagnet assemblies.