Rivian spinout Also quietly ends Kenya electric two-wheeler pilot to focus on e-bikes and autonomous vehicles
By Eve
Also, the micromobility startup spun out of Rivian in 2025, started and then walked away from an electric two-wheeler pilot in Kenya earlier this year, TechCrunch has learned. The project had Shell Foundation grant funding and, per a since-deleted webpage, was meant to cover modular battery designs, distributed EV charging and a purpose-built electric motorcycle for African riders. The report notes the wider market is active, with Spiro saying it has more than 130,000 electric motorcycles across seven countries and 2,500 battery-swapping stations.
Why it matters
A Western OEM-backed entrant has stepped back from East African two-wheeler charging and battery design, leaving the field to players such as Spiro with established swapping networks. For CPOs and funders, it suggests grant-backed pilots may not convert into lasting infrastructure demand, while swapping-led models hold the momentum.
Source
- Source
- https://techcrunch.com/2026/11/03/rivian-spinout-also-owns-up-to-mistakes-in-delayed-e-bike-launch/
- Original title
- “Rivian spinout Also was working on an e-moto project in Kenya — until it walked away”
- Published
- 3 November 2026
- Updated
- 4 November 2026
In this story
- Topic
- Electric Vehicles
- Places
- Kenya · United States
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