Rivian Spin‑off Also Halts Kenya E‑Moto Project to Focus on Self‑Driving Cars

Also, the venture that emerged from Rivian’s innovation lab, announced this week that it is pulling the plug on its electric‑motorcycle (e‑moto) pilot in Kenya. In an interview with TechCrunch, co‑founder and president Chris Yu explained why the company decided to abandon the project and shift its resources toward autonomous vehicle technology.

When Also was launched, one of its core missions was to create affordable, low‑maintenance electric two‑wheelers for emerging markets. The Kenyan trial was meant to test a rugged e‑moto design, provide clean transport options for commuters, and gather data on battery performance in hot, off‑grid environments. Over the course of several months, the team ran into persistent challenges: battery packs lost capacity faster than expected, the local charging infrastructure proved insufficient, and supply‑chain delays made it hard to keep the fleet operational on schedule.

Yu said, “The Kenya program taught us a lot about real‑world constraints, but we realized we needed to re‑allocate our talent and capital to a bigger ambition – building fully autonomous electric vehicles.” He emphasized that the decision was not a retreat from sustainability, but a strategic refocus on a technology that the company believes will define the next decade of mobility.

The announcement also included an admission that Also’s earlier e‑bike launch suffered from delays and missed expectations. “We own those shortcomings and are improving our product development cadence and transparency,” Yu added.

Industry analysts have mixed reactions. Some view the pivot as a smart move, arguing that concentrating on autonomous platforms could give Also a competitive edge in a market dominated by legacy automakers. Others warn that the company may be forfeiting a valuable foothold in Africa’s rapidly growing micro‑mobility sector, where demand for cheap electric two‑wheelers remains strong.

Investors will be watching closely as Also prepares to showcase its first autonomous‑driving prototypes in the coming months and seeks new partnerships to accelerate the rollout of self‑driving technology. The Kenya e‑moto cancellation underscores the company’s willingness to cut losses, learn from past missteps, and double down on a vision that places driverless cars at the heart of its future roadmap.

Source: TechCrunch

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