micromobilitybiz Delivering news updates to the micromobility industry, focusing on e-bikes, e-scooters and green transport
EV manufacturer Rivian has spun off a micromobility business, launched under the name of Also. with a headline grabbing “$105 million in funding from Eclipse Ventures.”
The new business, headed up by Chris Yu, has reportedly been working behind the scenes for three years, prior to the announcement which officially launched Also. Yu, a former decade-long employee of Specialized, working in an expanded CTO role, now leads a business aiming to radically disrupt the micromobility space.
Sharing the news via a LinkedIn post, Yu comments: “Just over 3 years ago, I joined Rivian to help start a new skunkworks program. The idea was simple – develop exciting and inviting smaller-than-car EVs through the same ground-up, vertically integrated approach as with our larger EV siblings.
“I believe deeply that the world is ready for alternatives to the congestion, cost and carbon impact of cars. But to inspire this shift to a multi-modal electric transportation future, I also strongly believe that we need more compelling choices – ones that feel as capable, seamless, connected and software-defined as a Rivian.
“That’s what our team has set out to create. Along the way, we realized that the scale of this opportunity deserved the dedication and speed of a well-backed standalone company. So today, we’re excited to introduce Also to the world. We have tremendous support from Rivian and Eclipse, and we cannot wait to share more about our first products later this year!”
Providing a wider context for the launch, news shared by TechCrunch includes comments reflecting a long-held interest in micromobility for Rivian CEO JR Scaringe.
The article also points out that the legacy cycling industry has some elements which Scaringe finds somewhat challenging. In the feature, Scaringe is quoted as saying it’s “remarkable that a nice e-bike costs as much as it does… Like a nice ebike, you can spend $6,000 to $8,000 on, and really nice ones, over $10,000. That’s a reflection of a poorly developed supply chain that’s very, very, very tiered.”
As Rivian shared news via its own channels, Scaringe is also quoted as saying: “For the world to fully transition to electrified transportation, a range of vehicle types and form factors will be needed. I am extremely excited about the innovations developed by the Also team that will underpin a range of highly compelling micromobility products that will help define new categories.”
Of the launch, Ian Kenney, former Specialized head of global brand and marketing – Electric, Active, Kids, and previous Rivian director, future line and ecosystems – future programmes, comments: “Excited for and proud of my friends at Also. formerly Rivian’s “Future Programs” team.
“When Chris Yu gave me a call almost three years ago to help get the ball rolling on this project, I knew that it would lead to something special. Having the chance to start with the rough shape of an idea, a clean sheet, and a world-class team is extremely rare.
“Equally rare is the opportunity presented by small electric form factors to help the world truly transition to sustainable and accessible transportation. I can’t wait for the world to see what this team has cooking.”
