Rivian spinout Also was working on an e-moto project in Kenya — until it walked away
News Source
β’Tue, 03 Nov 2026 16:49:09 +0000
π° What Happened
A startup called Also planned an electric motorbike project in Kenya, then walked away from it. Also was spun out of electric truck maker Rivian in 2025.
The project had grant money from the Shell Foundation, a charity set up by oil giant Shell. A page about the work has since been removed from the charity's website.
That page said the goal was to test a two-wheeler built for African riders. It included ideas for swap-in batteries and charging points. Also says it finished only early work and chose to focus on e-bikes and self-driving tech.
π The Backstory
Africa has a huge market for motorbikes. In many cities, riders use them as taxis, carrying passengers and goods for small fees.
Electric bikes could cut fuel costs and clean up city air. Firm Spiro says it already runs more than 130,000 electric motorbikes in seven African countries, with 2,500 battery-swap stations.
Chinese companies and investors are putting money into the market. But charging points, spare parts and repair skills are still hard to find in many places.
π― Why It Matters
Cheap electric bikes could cut costs and pollution for millions of riders. That only happens if companies stay and build the support they need.
A startup called Also planned an electric motorbike project in Kenya, then walked away from it. Also was spun out of electric truck maker Rivian in 2025.
The project had grant money from the Shell Foundation, a charity set up by oil giant Shell. A page about the work has since been removed from the charity's website.
That page said the goal was to test a two-wheeler built for African riders. It included ideas for swap-in batteries and charging points. Also says it finished only early work and chose to focus on e-bikes and self-driving tech.
Africa has a huge market for motorbikes. In many cities, riders use them as taxis, carrying passengers and goods for small fees.
Electric bikes could cut fuel costs and clean up city air. Firm Spiro says it already runs more than 130,000 electric motorbikes in seven African countries, with 2,500 battery-swap stations.
Chinese companies and investors are putting money into the market. But charging points, spare parts and repair skills are still hard to find in many places.
Cheap electric bikes could cut costs and pollution for millions of riders. That only happens if companies stay and build the support they need.