Rivian Spinoff Also Begins E-Bike Deliveries as Supply Chain Delays Test Its Market Strategy

The startup is moving from product development to commercial delivery while managing customer expectations and expanding its ambitions in electric mobility.

TNN Business & Tech Desk author photo
Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Also, the electric mobility startup spun out of Rivian, is preparing to begin customer deliveries of its first electric bicycle after months of production delays, marking an important transition from product development to commercial execution.

The company’s Launch Edition TM-B e-bikes have begun moving from the manufacturing facility to a U.S. warehouse, with the first customer deliveries expected to start in early August. Also expects to complete deliveries for Launch Edition customers between August and September.

The start of deliveries represents more than the release of a new premium e-bike. It is the first major test of whether Also can convert its engineering capabilities, financial backing, and connection to Rivian’s electric mobility ecosystem into a scalable consumer business.

Also originally planned to begin shipping the TM-B during spring 2026. The schedule was later moved to July as the company faced pressure across global supply chains. Increased demand for raw materials and electronic components affected the availability of parts required for production and delayed the company’s manufacturing ramp-up.

The company has not identified the specific components responsible for the disruption. However, the delay highlights the continued exposure of electric mobility manufacturers to international sourcing conditions, particularly when products depend on specialized electronics, batteries, and complex supply networks.

For emerging mobility companies, supply chain challenges can have consequences beyond production schedules. Delayed deliveries may affect customer confidence, increase operating costs, complicate inventory planning, and create uncertainty around future revenue.

These risks are particularly significant for startups entering premium consumer markets, where buyers often expect a high level of communication and service alongside advanced product design.

The TM-B Launch Edition is priced at $4,500, placing the model in the upper segment of the electric bicycle market. The pricing strategy positions the product as a premium mobility offering rather than a mass-market alternative.

That approach may support stronger revenue per unit and reinforce the company’s design-focused identity. At the same time, it limits the immediate customer base and increases the importance of product quality, reliability, and customer experience.

Also’s development history provides the company with a distinctive position in the electric mobility industry. The project began inside Rivian in 2022 as an internal initiative exploring an electric bicycle that could complement the company’s outdoor-oriented electric vehicle portfolio.

The concept developed over several years, and the company worked with design firm LoveFrom during the early stages of the product’s development. This connection helped establish a design-led identity around the new brand and supported its positioning as a technology and mobility company rather than a conventional bicycle manufacturer.

Rivian formally separated Also into an independent company in March 2025. The startup received $105 million in financial backing from Eclipse, providing capital to develop products and establish its commercial operations.

The spinout structure offers strategic advantages. Also can operate with greater independence and pursue new mobility markets while continuing to benefit from the technical experience, brand association, and industry knowledge developed through its origins within Rivian.

However, the company must now establish its own reputation with customers. The transition from a project supported by a major electric vehicle company to an independent commercial brand requires more than strong product design. It also depends on dependable manufacturing, transparent communication, responsive customer service, and the ability to manage expectations when production plans change.

Customer reaction to the delays has already demonstrated the importance of these factors. Some reservation holders expressed frustration over repeated changes to delivery schedules and limited communication regarding the production timeline. Others indicated that they had canceled their reservations after waiting longer than expected.

The response illustrates a broader challenge for hardware startups. Product delays may be manageable when companies provide clear and consistent updates, but uncertainty can create reputational risks when customers believe that expectations have not been communicated accurately.

For Also, the first deliveries will therefore serve as an operational and brand test. The company will need to demonstrate that the extended development period resulted in a reliable product and that its customer support systems are prepared for the transition from reservations to active ownership.

The TM-B is also only one part of a broader mobility strategy. Also describes itself primarily as a vehicle company and is developing additional products beyond electric bicycles.

The company is working on four-wheel pedal-assist cargo vehicles intended for Amazon, expanding its potential role in commercial logistics. It is also developing an autonomous delivery vehicle for DoorDash, placing the startup within the rapidly evolving market for last-mile transportation.

These projects could diversify Also’s revenue opportunities and reduce its dependence on consumer e-bike sales. Commercial partnerships may also provide larger and more predictable demand than direct consumer purchases.

At the same time, expanding into multiple vehicle categories will increase the company’s operational complexity. Each market requires different manufacturing systems, regulatory planning, customer support models, and commercial relationships.

The company’s ability to manage these parallel opportunities will depend on how effectively it builds production capacity and allocates capital.

The broader market opportunity remains significant. Cities and businesses are increasingly exploring smaller electric vehicles as alternatives to traditional cars and delivery vans, particularly for short-distance travel and urban logistics.

Electric bicycles, pedal-assist cargo vehicles, and autonomous delivery platforms could benefit from demand for lower operating costs, reduced congestion, and more flexible transportation networks.

However, the sector is becoming increasingly competitive. Established bicycle manufacturers, automotive companies, logistics providers, and technology startups are all investing in electric mobility.

This means that product innovation alone may not be sufficient to create a durable competitive advantage. Companies will also need efficient production, dependable service, strong distribution, and a recognizable brand.

For Also, the coming months will determine whether the TM-B can become a foundation for a broader vehicle business. Successful deliveries could strengthen customer confidence and validate the company’s premium positioning.

Further delays or service problems, however, could increase pressure on the startup as it seeks to expand into additional mobility categories.

The company’s next phase will therefore be defined by execution. Its technology, design heritage, financial backing, and relationship with Rivian provide a strong starting point, but long-term success will depend on whether it can deliver products consistently and build trust beyond the expectations created during development.

Rivian Spinoff Also Begins E-Bike Deliveries as Supply Chain Delays Test Its Market Strategy

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