Also withdraws from electric vehicle pilot in Kenya to prioritize other projects

Also, a micromobility company spun out of Rivian in 2025, started and then abandoned an electric two-wheeler pilot project in Kenya earlier this year, TechCrunch reports. The company says it refocused its resources on its core roadmap after preliminary work.

The project had received a grant from the Shell Foundation. According to a presentation removed from the foundation’s website, it was intended to explore a locally integrated electric platform, modular batteries and distributed charging. Also says the funding will follow the project to support its continuation, without providing details. Its withdrawal therefore does not establish that the entire initiative has ended.

Chris Yu, Also’s co-founder and president, tells TechCrunch that other projects took priority, including small autonomous vehicles developed through a partnership with DoorDash. This direction reflects a choice about resource allocation; it demonstrates neither the technical maturity nor the commercial viability of these vehicles.

The refocusing comes after the launch of the TM-B electric bike experienced supply-related delays. Shipments finally began in early October. Yu also acknowledges insufficient communication with customers who had placed reservations. For Also, the challenge now appears to be balancing delivery of its consumer product with its ambitions in other markets. The available information does not allow an assessment of the resources freed up by the withdrawal from Kenya.