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Rivian spinout Also dropped Kenya e-moto pilot to focus on autonomy
TechCrunch reported Tuesday that Also, spun out of Rivian in 2025, ended a Shell Foundation-backed electric two-wheeler pilot in Kenya to concentrate on e-bikes and autonomous vehicles.
- New headline Was: “Rivian spinout Also was working on an e-moto project in Kenya — until it walked away”
- Our desk filed its story
Also, the micromobility company spun out of Rivian in 2025, started and then left an electric two-wheeler pilot in Kenya earlier this year, TechCrunch reported Tuesday1.
The project had grant funding from the Shell Foundation, an independent charity established by Shell plc1. A later-removed section of the foundation's website said the aim was to pilot a locally integrated electric two-wheeler platform in Kenya, with possible expansion in East Africa, including modular batteries and a motorcycle designed for African riders1.
In a September email, Also told TechCrunch it had explored the work with an unnamed partner, completed some early-stage work, and chose to focus on its core roadmap1. The company said Shell Foundation grant money would follow the project, without further detail1. The foundation said the pilot was meant to generate evidence on driver income, operations and commercial viability, then declined more specifics, citing a nondisclosure agreement; the listing later left its website1.
At TechCrunch Disrupt last month, co-founder and president Chris Yu said other work took precedence, especially small autonomous vehicles under a DoorDash partnership1. He said the company decided, because of urgency around autonomy, to focus there in the near term1.
Also also delayed its first consumer product, the TM-B e-bike, with shipments starting in early October after supply-chain problems, including competition for circuit-board materials used in AI data centers, and certification work1. Yu said, "I think we did a pretty poor job communicating to our reservation holders through the summer when they were all waiting"1.
The company still plans cargo bikes for commercial buyers, including four-wheeled models, after the TM-B1. TechCrunch said early customers have reported delivery damage and battery drain1. The identity of Also's Kenya partner and the remaining grant terms were not disclosed1.
