A linear electric generator comprising: a coil assembly comprising N sections of induction coils (L1-L8) disposed linearly along a distance d1, the coils exhibiting inductance and resistance along their length; a magnetic assembly of length d2, where d2 is smaller than d1; means (3, 5) for passing the magnetic assembly along and over the linearly disposed induction coils while maintaining a small gap between the magnetic assembly and the coils, the passing of the magnetic assembly over a particular coil section causing that particular coil section to be excited in that it produces a voltage across the coils in that particular section; first and second output points for producing therebetween a voltage corresponding to the voltage generated across the coils due to the passing magnetic assembly; characterised in that: the N sections of induction coils are serially connected end to end, and switching means (S1-S8) are coupled between the coils and the first and second output points for selectively coupling only sections of coils in close proximity to the passing magnetic assembly between the first and second output points, whereby sections of coils which are not in close proximity to the magnetic assembly are either shorted out or electrically disconnected from the first and second output points thereby reducing power losses and increasing the power-producing efficiency of the LEG. a coil assembly comprising N sections of induction coils (L1-L8) disposed linearly along a distance d1, the coils exhibiting inductance and resistance along their length; a magnetic assembly of length d2, where d2 is smaller than d1; means (3, 5) for passing the magnetic assembly along and over the linearly disposed induction coils while maintaining a small gap between the magnetic assembly and the coils, the passing of the magnetic assembly over a particular coil section causing that particular coil section to be excited in that it produces a voltage across the coils in that particular section; first and second output points for producing therebetween a voltage corresponding to the voltage generated across the coils due to the passing magnetic assembly; characterised in that: the N sections of induction coils are serially connected end to end, and switching means (S1-S8) are coupled between the coils and the first and second output points for selectively coupling only sections of coils in close proximity to the passing magnetic assembly between the first and second output points, whereby sections of coils which are not in close proximity to the magnetic assembly are either shorted out or electrically disconnected from the first and second output points thereby reducing power losses and increasing the power-producing efficiency of the LEG. the N sections of induction coils are serially connected end to end, and switching means (S1-S8) are coupled between the coils and the first and second output points for selectively coupling only sections of coils in close proximity to the passing magnetic assembly between the first and second output points, whereby sections of coils which are not in close proximity to the magnetic assembly are either shorted out or electrically disconnected from the first and second output points thereby reducing power losses and increasing the power-producing efficiency of the LEG.