Rivian Spinout Also Discontinues Electric Motorcycle Pilot in Kenya

Also Halts Kenya E-Moto Project

Also, a micromobility startup that originated from Rivian in 2025, has discontinued an electric two-wheeler pilot project in Kenya. The decision was made to reallocate resources towards the company's consumer e-bike and autonomous vehicle initiatives.

Shell Foundation Grant and Project Goals

The project had secured grant funding from the Shell Foundation. According to a now-removed section of the Shell Foundation's website, the initiative intended to "enable and de-risk global OEM entry into Africa’s EV market by piloting a locally integrated electric two-wheeler platform in Kenya." Also was tasked with developing modular battery designs, distributed EV charging solutions, and a purpose-built electric motorcycle for African consumers.

Company's Rationale for Discontinuation

In a September email, Also stated it had "explored this project" but decided to "focus on its core roadmap" after completing only "some early-stage work." The grant funding from the Shell Foundation is expected to continue supporting the project's ongoing development, though specifics were not provided. Also co-founder Chris Yu noted that while the project aligned with the company's mission to build cost-optimized vehicles for specific markets, other internal projects took priority.

Market Context for Electric Two-Wheelers in Africa

The African continent presents a significant market for electric motorcycles. Companies like Spiro operate over 130,000 electric motorcycles and 2,500 battery-swapping stations across seven countries. This growth has attracted investment from Chinese mobility companies and investors.