Rivian spinout Also drops Kenya electric two-wheeler pilot to focus on e-bikes and autonomous vehicles

Why the Kenya pilot was discontinued

Also, a micromobility startup spun out of Rivian in 2025, quietly abandoned an electric two-wheeler pilot project in Kenya earlier this year. The project, funded by a grant from the Shell Foundation, aimed to test a locally integrated electric two-wheeler platform in Kenya with potential expansion across East Africa. According to Chris Yu, Also’s co-founder and president, the pilot initially aligned with the company’s mission to build cost-optimized, purpose-built vehicles for specific markets.

The Shell Foundation, an independent charity established by Shell plc, supported the project but declined to provide further details due to a nondisclosure agreement. Also completed only "some early-stage work" before shifting focus to other priorities, particularly the development of small autonomous vehicles in partnership with DoorDash.

Supply chain delays and customer frustration

Also’s first consumer product, the TM-B e-bike, faced repeated delays due to supply chain challenges and certification requirements from government agencies. The delays frustrated customers who had reserved the bike, as Also acknowledged poor communication during the process. The TM-B, known for its striking design, began shipping to customers in early October 2026 after multiple postponements.

Early customers have reported issues such as delivery damage and battery drain, though the company has not disclosed the scale of these problems.

Future plans: Cargo bikes and autonomous vehicles

Also is now prioritizing its commercial cargo bike business, including four-wheeled models, targeting corporate customers like Amazon. The company is also developing small autonomous vehicles as part of its partnership with DoorDash, a project that took precedence over the Kenya pilot. Yu stated that these initiatives better align with Also’s long-term ambitions.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

Also’s decision to abandon its Kenya pilot reflects a strategic shift toward higher-margin, scalable projects in the micromobility and autonomous vehicle space. For founders and operators, this move signals how hardware startups are reallocating resources to mitigate supply chain risks and focus on proven markets—particularly in the U.S. and Europe—rather than experimenting in emerging regions like Africa. The delays and communication missteps surrounding the TM-B launch underscore the challenges of bringing hardware products to market, even for well-funded spinouts like Also. The pivot toward commercial cargo bikes and autonomous vehicles suggests a bet on B2B revenue streams, which could offer more stability than consumer-facing products.

Key takeaways

• Also’s discontinuation of its Kenya pilot highlights the challenges of scaling micromobility projects in emerging markets, particularly when supply chain and certification hurdles delay core products.
• The shift toward commercial cargo bikes and autonomous vehicles suggests a focus on B2B opportunities, which may offer more predictable revenue than consumer e-bikes.
• Supply chain delays and poor communication during the TM-B launch underscore the operational risks hardware startups face, even with backing from established players like Rivian.

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