Imagine cooking rice, using your electric vehicle...powering a heater...a lap top...a radio... Following the devastating natural disasters in Japan, Mitusbishi has announced its plans of transforming its forthcoming 2012 "i" into such an emergency power source. It' might even be able to light an entire house.

How is this possible? It all starts with vehicle-to-grid (V2G). While not discussed much in the media, the concept isn't new. Essentially, it's the…

The Mitsubishi i, also known as the i-MiEV overseas, has already made it as a top electric hybrid in Japan and throughout Europe. Actually, EV cars are taking off in various countries, including Norway. There, the Mitsubishi "i" is one of the top selling vehicles throughout the country.

Electric vehicles may be so popular because Norwegian fuel prices are some of the highest in Europe.

"There are more electric cars per capita here than in…