DAILY: Rivian R2 Configurator Opens, Used EV Prices Begin To Grow and Green Tech Shapes Home Buying | 17 May 2026

The Rivian R2 is a midsize electric SUV that’s moving from reservation status into confirmed orders. In this segment, the hosts focus on how the R2 configurator lets buyers pick trims and options like wheel choices and launch packages, and they compare pricing and range/performance targets against Tesla Model Y variants.

A configurator is the online tool that lets buyers choose a vehicle’s trim and options. When a reservation system transitions to confirmed orders, the configurator typically becomes the place where pricing and equipment choices get locked in.

EPA range is the estimated distance an EV can travel on a full charge, measured under standardized U.S. testing by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It’s commonly used for comparing EVs, but real-world range can vary with driving style, weather, and speed.

The 0-60 dash is a performance metric measuring how quickly a vehicle accelerates from 0 mph to 60 mph. It’s often used as a simple benchmark for comparing acceleration between different EVs and trims.

A tow package is an option bundle that equips a vehicle for towing, typically including hardware and software provisions such as tow wiring and hitch-related components. It’s especially relevant for EVs because towing can significantly affect range and performance.

A launch package is a bundled set of features and accessories offered at the start of a model’s sales. In this segment, the launch package is tied to specific items like an autonomy-plus a dash system tow package and a launch key fob.

An all-terrain wheel/tire setup is intended to handle a wider mix of road surfaces than a typical highway tire, including light dirt or rougher conditions. The segment mentions a 20-inch all-terrain wheel option, which signals a more rugged direction for the R2’s configuration.

A compact spare tire (often called a donut) is a smaller, lighter temporary spare designed to get you to a repair shop. The segment notes that the compact spare is an optional add-on and costs extra, which affects how “complete” the car’s standard roadside setup is.

The Tesla Model Y Performance is a performance-focused variant of Tesla’s Model Y electric crossover. In this segment, it’s used as a pricing benchmark against the Rivian R2 Performance, highlighting how the R2’s cost positions it relative to Tesla’s higher-end trim.

An active Connect Plus subscription is a paid connectivity requirement for certain connected-vehicle features. The segment implies Rivian assistant functionality depends on having that subscription enabled.

On-device processing means the car runs the voice recognition and related computation inside the vehicle instead of sending audio to a remote server. The benefit is typically lower latency (faster response) and improved privacy because less data needs to leave the car.

Latency is the delay between when you speak (or trigger an action) and when the system responds. Doing voice processing on-device is meant to reduce latency so the assistant feels more immediate.

“DVS” here appears to be a shorthand for a data/market indicator the hosts use when discussing used-vehicle pricing trends. The transcript is unclear on what DVS stands for, but it’s being used to introduce the used-EV price growth discussion.

This segment shifts from in-car software to market pricing, focusing on how used EV prices are moving. It also contrasts EV price movement with petrol and other fuel types.

Eon is discussed as a company doing research into how “green energy kit” is being adopted by home buyers. In this segment, the key point is that green home energy equipment is shifting from optional to expected.

“Green energy kit” refers to home energy equipment intended to reduce emissions or generate renewable power (for example, solar or related energy systems). The segment frames it as moving from a “nice to have” to a standard expectation in home buying.

“Level 1” charging is the slowest common home setup, typically using a standard 120V outlet (often described as “110 volts” in the US). Because it adds energy slowly, it can make daily EV use feel painful if you need frequent or fast replenishment.

“Three phase” refers to a type of electrical power distribution where the current is split across three synchronized phases. Many European home charging setups rely on three-phase power, which can support higher charging capability and more efficient operation than single-phase-only systems.

“Level 2” charging uses higher-voltage power (commonly 240V in North America), allowing much faster charging than Level 1. A “permanently mounted” Level 2 charger is installed at home, which tends to improve reliability and user satisfaction compared with portable setups.

The Dodge Charger is a full-size American sedan that’s known for performance-oriented trims and a long-running presence in the market. In an EV-focused discussion, it may come up because owners often talk about home charging setups—like a permanently installed Level 2 charger—since charging convenience affects day-to-day usability. That’s why it could be referenced alongside charging infrastructure rather than just driving performance.

Smart charging is EV charging that can be controlled or optimized using software—often via Wi‑Fi, mobile apps, and communication with the electric grid. Instead of charging whenever you plug in, it can shift charging to cheaper or preferred times based on utility pricing and incentives.

Time-of-use (TOU) incentives are pricing structures where electricity costs vary by time of day. For EV owners, TOU rates can make scheduled charging financially beneficial if you charge during lower-cost windows.

The described “plug your car in” workflow is an EV charging automation concept: you connect the car and the system handles the scheduling to reach a target departure charge level. It’s essentially a simplified user experience for smart charging without manually managing times.

A cheap rate is a time-of-use electricity price where the cost per kWh is lower during specific hours (often overnight). EV chargers and smart charging systems use these windows to reduce charging cost.

Time-of-use electricity pricing charges different rates depending on the time of day. For EV owners, this matters because charging during the lower-rate window can significantly change the total cost.

Octopus is an energy provider known for EV-focused electricity tariffs and charging-related tools. In this segment, the speaker discusses how Octopus’ smart charging rules and cheap-rate windows can be confusing.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is California’s agency that sets and enforces air-quality and emissions rules. The segment references CARB pointing out emissions-control issues with small gasoline engines used in children’s vehicles at Disneyland.

“Net zero by 2030” means reducing greenhouse-gas emissions as much as possible and balancing any remaining emissions with offsets or removals. The segment frames Disneyland’s switch from petrol-powered cars to electric vehicles as part of that goal.

Emissions controls are hardware and systems that reduce pollutants from an engine, such as catalytic converters and related exhaust-treatment components. Without them, an engine can produce higher levels of regulated pollutants.

Honda is the engine brand mentioned in the segment—small Honda gasoline engines used in children’s cars at Disneyland. The point is that these engines reportedly lacked emissions controls, which triggered regulatory action.

The Buick Century is a midsize sedan that was produced for many years and is often discussed as part of Buick’s broader history. In the podcast context, it appears tied to sponsorship or branding timelines “around the turn of the century,” which suggests the car is being referenced in relation to marketing and public visibility rather than technical details. That makes it relevant to a business-and-technology EV news show when they’re talking about how brands and partnerships evolve over time.