Micromobility startup Also, which emerged as an independent entity after spinning out of Rivian in 2025, has halted its electric two-wheeler pilot venture in Kenya. The company decided to step away from the overseas initiative after an initial operational phase, choosing instead to channel its engineering and financial capacity toward its core commercial lineup, including consumer electric bicycles and small self-driving delivery units.
The Shell Foundation Grant and East African Ambitions
The Kenyan pilot initiative was supported by grant funding from the Shell Foundation, an independent philanthropic entity created by the multinational energy corporation Shell plc. According to project documentation previously displayed on the charity’s website, the primary objective was to reduce entry risks for global vehicle manufacturers looking at the African electric mobility sector. The venture intended to test an integrated electric two-wheeler architecture in Kenya with ambitions to deploy the model throughout East Africa.
The deleted project outline indicated that Also intended to develop specialized modular battery architectures and decentralized vehicle charging systems while building a tailored electric motorcycle suited to African road conditions and commercial riders. The Shell Foundation explained that the pilot was designed to gather empirical data concerning driver income improvements, vehicle efficiency, and overall commercial sustainability. However, specific performance metrics and technical data were not disclosed due to a nondisclosure agreement, and public references to the initiative were subsequently removed from the foundation's portal. Also stated that it carried out early exploration alongside an unnamed collaborator before shifting direction, noting that the remaining grant funds would follow the initiative to assist ongoing work.
Expanding Electric Two-Wheeler Adoption in Africa
The African continent represents one of the fastest-growing regions for commercial two-wheeler transport. Regional operators like Spiro have scaled significantly, deploying more than 130,000 electric motorcycles across seven countries supported by a network of over 2,500 battery-swapping stations. This sustained momentum has prompted notable investments from Chinese mobility enterprises and international venture funds pouring resources into local fleet electrification. Despite this expanding regional market, Also determined that its internal product priorities required immediate consolidation elsewhere.
Prioritizing Autonomous Delivery Platforms and DoorDash
According to executive Yu, pressing internal projects took precedence over the African pilot. Chief among these priorities is the creation of specialized autonomous delivery hardware, being pursued through a strategic tie-up with DoorDash.
Yu noted that the rapid evolution and competitive dynamics of self-driving systems made it necessary for the engineering team to focus entirely on autonomy over the immediate horizon. In his assessment, small purpose-built autonomous vehicles are far more likely to achieve commercial deployment and market scale ahead of full-sized passenger automobiles. In addition to self-driving delivery hardware, Also is engineering commercial cargo bicycles, including four-wheel configurations designed for enterprise logistics clients such as Amazon, representing broader long-term revenue pathways.
Supply Constraints and Delayed Deliveries for the TM-B
The exit from the African trial comes during an arduous initial operating year for the independent startup. Persistent supply chain bottlenecks created prolonged shipping delays for the TM-B, a premium consumer e-bike that represents the company's debut consumer model. The prolonged delays provoked frustration among early reservation holders, a problem intensified by minimal official communication from company leadership throughout much of 2026.
Yu acknowledged that customer outreach during the summer months fell short while buyers waited without clear visibility, calling the lapse an operational misstep that the team has worked to rectify. The manufacturing hurdles were multifaceted. Yu likened the sophisticated e-bike to a computer on wheels, explaining that recurring supply shortages constantly disrupted production planning. In one instance, Also was forced to compete for specialized materials also utilized in printed circuit boards for AI data center infrastructure. At other junctures, the enterprise faced extensive testing requirements and certification hurdles across multiple regulatory bodies.
Initial Customer Deliveries and Future Outlook
After navigating component shortages and administrative hurdles, Also initiated early customer shipments for the TM-B in early October. First-generation buyers have begun documenting their experiences, noting scattered teething issues such as transit damage and elevated battery drainage rates. While initial customer feedback reveals normal first-generation hardware challenges, the company has worked to establish transparent customer support channels as it manages ongoing assembly lines and balances its broader commercial roadmap.
