Podcast: Rivian goes to market, Xiaomi goes big, and a $14,000 tiny EV in the US

This is a roundup of a car and energy news podcast, not a story about home upgrades. It covers electric vehicle industry items: Rivian raising about $1.5 billion by selling shares to fund its upcoming R2 model, Xiaomi unveiling a new plug-in hybrid SUV called the SkyNomad N90, BYD pricing a high-performance electric sports car near $200,000, Toyota pushing back production of its electric Highlander SUV, and a small electric car now selling in the US for under $14,000.

None of this touches home energy efficiency, insulation, heating and cooling upgrades, or rebate programs. It is industry news about vehicle makers and pricing, aimed at people who follow the EV market generally.

If you are weighing a home EV charger purchase or thinking about how an electric vehicle fits into your household energy plans, the one item worth noting is the low-cost EV entering the US market at under $14,000, since a cheaper car could mean a different charging setup than a larger SUV or truck. The rest, including Rivian's stock sale, Xiaomi's new model, BYD's luxury sports car, and Toyota's delay, are manufacturer and market developments with no direct bearing on your house, your utility bills, or any efficiency rebate you might be considering.