Amazon Orders Thousands of Cargo Vehicles from Rivian Spinoff

Also and Amazon Announce Commercial Partnership for Electric Cargo Quads

A micromobility company originating from Rivian has secured a significant commercial agreement with Amazon. This collaboration will see thousands of the company’s newly developed pedal-assist cargo quad vehicles supplied to the e-commerce giant.

Vehicle Capabilities and Launch Timeline

These quad vehicles are designed with a substantial carrying capacity, able to transport over 400 pounds of packages. Despite this, their size allows for operation within designated bike lanes. The TM-Q pedal-assist electric quads are slated for release in spring 2026.

The partnership involves collaborative customization efforts to ensure the vehicles perfectly align with Amazon’s specific delivery requirements across both European and United States markets.

Leveraging Existing Relationships and Expertise

Also’s leadership team possesses a pre-existing strong working relationship with Amazon. Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer from which Also emerged, is a stakeholder backed by Amazon and has already delivered more than 25,000 electric delivery vans to the company.

RJ Scaringe, founder and CEO of Rivian, emphasized the seamless collaboration, stating that lessons learned from the EDV van program were directly applied to this new project. He highlighted the benefit of Rivian’s shareholder status, enabling coordinated fleet management through a unified portal.

Benefits of Close Collaboration

Scaringe further explained that a deep understanding of Amazon’s needs, coupled with input from the Rivian team, has been instrumental in Also’s development process. This close proximity ensures a tailored solution for Amazon’s logistical challenges.

Company Origins and Funding

Also initially functioned as an internal “skunkworks” project within Rivian before becoming an independent entity earlier this year. The company secured $105 million in funding from Eclipse. While operating as a standalone company, Also maintains close ties with Rivian, which holds a minority stake.

Scaringe will also serve on Also’s board of directors, and the new company will utilize Rivian’s existing technology, retail infrastructure, and economies of scale.

Shared Technology and Design Elements

The TM-Q and Also’s TM-B e-bike share core components, including the drivetrain and a pedal-by-wire system developed in-house. Physical elements, such as the handlebars and a five-inch circular touchscreen, are also common to both models.

This touchscreen provides navigation, media controls, fitness data, and assist level adjustments. It also synchronizes with the Also app for battery charge monitoring, software updates, and security management.

Battery Technology and Swappability

Both vehicles utilize the same battery technology, though the quad cargo vehicles feature increased power capacity. Also has prioritized portability by designing the batteries to be removable. The company is actively developing battery dock stations to facilitate quick and easy battery swaps.

Targeted Applications and Amazon’s Infrastructure

The TM-Q is specifically designed for commercial applications, incorporating software for logistics, delivery tracking, and charging management. Emily Barber, Director of Amazon’s Global Fleet, noted the vehicle’s suitability for deliveries in densely populated urban environments.

Amazon already operates over 70 micromobility hubs across the U.S. and Europe, providing a robust infrastructure for the deployment of these quad cargo vehicles.

Expanding Beyond Amazon

While Amazon represents a key customer, Also intends to offer the TM-Q to a broader commercial audience. A consumer version of the quad, lacking the delivery van topper but featuring a bench seat for passengers or cargo, has also been unveiled.

Future Development Potential

Both Yu and Scaringe hinted at the possibility of further iterations and adaptations of the quad platform. The underlying quad platform offers significant flexibility for future designs.

Scaringe emphasized the cost-effectiveness of developing new “top hats” for the quad platform, contrasting it with the substantial investment required for similar modifications to traditional automobiles.