Podcast: Tesla Roadster delay, EV deliveries, battery swap comes back, and more

This is a roundup of electric vehicle and energy industry news, not something that calls for action on your part, but a few items may interest homeowners who also think about EVs or home energy setups. Tesla's third-quarter deliveries slipped 2% to 486,532 vehicles, though that still beat analyst estimates. Rivian continues ramping up production of its R2 model even as overall EV market growth cools. On the charging front, Tesla added a feature letting drivers quickly drive away while still plugged in, a safety response after a deadly shooting at one of its Supercharger stations.

Battery swapping, an alternative to plug-in charging where a depleted battery is physically swapped for a charged one, is getting new momentum: China's NIO sold a 30% stake in its battery-swap business to Geely for more than $2 billion. Elsewhere, Hyundai began selling an electric Ioniq V for under $15,000, though availability is limited, and BMW unveiled a redesigned 2027 i3 with up to 468 miles of range at a higher price point.

None of this directly changes rebates or upgrade programs for your house, but it reflects a broader shift in electric vehicle costs and technology that could eventually affect home charging equipment choices or incentives tied to EV ownership, especially if you're weighing an EV purchase alongside other home energy upgrades like a heat pump or solar panels.