Rivian spins out secret e-bike lab into a new company called Also

Rivian announced the instauration of a caller micromobility institution called Also. The woody includes $105 cardinal successful Series B backing from task superior steadfast Eclipse and volition absorption connected the improvement and accumulation of lightweight electrical vehicles similar bikes and scooters.

“For the satellite to afloat modulation to electrified transportation, a scope of conveyance types and signifier factors volition beryllium needed,” said Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe successful a statement. “I americium highly excited astir the innovations developed by the Also squad that volition underpin a scope of highly compelling micromobility products that volition assistance specify caller categories.”

Rivian says its started a “stealth program” focused connected micromobility several years ago, recognizing “a monolithic need” for much smaller, light-weight electrical vehicles similar bikes and scooters. It couldn’t person been that stealth, considering Scaringe was on signifier astatine Tech Disrupt successful 2023 talking astir his involvement successful “multimodal” transportation, including e-bikes. The institution has besides filed a trademark for e-bikes and scooters, signaling its involvement successful expanding its merchandise lineup.

Rivian is known for its flagship EVs, the R1S SUV and R1T truck, some of which are precise big, precise heavy, and precise expensive. The much affordable R2 and R3 vehicles are nether improvement and expected to participate accumulation starting successful 2026. An adjacent much lightweight idiosyncratic mobility instrumentality would beryllium a invited summation for Rivian fans, who emotion the company’s outdoor, adventure-themed image.

Rivian says it volition clasp a “substantial number ownership stake” successful Also, and expects to diagnostic the company’s products astatine its ain retail locations successful the future. Scaringe volition service arsenic seat of Also’s committee of directors.

Despite the gross accidental presented by the caller category, car makers person yet to find immoderate notable occurrence with their e-bikes contempt brands like Porsche, Mercedes, Jeep, GM, Hummer, and others each giving it a go. The e-bike manufacture is going done immoderate increasing pains, too, with VanMoof filing for bankruptcy and Rad Power Bikes cycling done a bid of executives.

To work much astir Rivian’s e-bike plans, cheque retired this thorough rundown successful TechCrunch.