A former American Air Force mechanic used his car to power his Toronto home for nine hours during a blackout caused by freak weather in December.

Retired engineer Bob Osemlack wired his Toyota Prius battery up to an outlet he’d fashioned from his fireplace after ice storms battered his hometown of Toronto just before Christmas.

Thousands were left without power but Osemlack was able to heat and illuminate his home thanks to the hybrid vehicle’s electricity supply, even stretching to creature comforts such as his television and radio.

Osemlack spoke about how he powered his home during the storms: “When the furnace comes on, and the house gets up to temperature, I go to the thermostat and shut the furnace off. Now I can plug something else in: the TV, the fridge or the floor lamp.”

Surprisingly, nine hours of power only cost Osemlack four litres of petrol as the engine efficiently generated power to charge the battery but the former mechanic doesn’t recommend his trick, as it can be very dangerous.

A Toyota spokesperson stated, “The car isn’t designed to be used as a power source for home use.

“Interestingly, there have been plenty of rumour stories surrounding the upcoming Prius 4 that hint that the vehicle will have just such a facility.

“For example, the battery can be used as a home power source during emergencies such as earthquakes and freak weather.”

“But Prius 3, mentioned here, was never intended to be used in such a way and we would not recommend driver’s doing so,” he added.

Osemlack added that he had only been driving a Prius for a few years after trading in his thirsty Volkswagen, but he would now ensure the Toyota remains full charged incase of another storm.