Today, the California-based EV maker Rivian announced a new spinoff company, Also Inc., that will focus on building small, lightweight EVs.The new company, billed as a micromobility startup, is set to be headed by president Chris Yu, Rivians former VP of future programs. According to a press release, Rivian will own a substantial minority ownership stake in Also, and Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe will chair the new companys board of directors. The startup also announced an initial investment of $105 million from the venture capital firm Eclipse.While Also hasnt officially announced the products it plans to debut, Yu told the publication Transport Topics that its technology platformwhich has been in the works at Rivian for several yearswill be applicable to e-bikes and smaller three- and four-wheel vehicles, like neighborhood EVs and micro cars. The company plans to announce its flagship product this fall and begin deliveries in the U.S. in 2026, followed by future expansions into Europe, Asia, and South America.A growing demand for micromobility optionsFor Rivian and Also, the push to expand EV options in the micromobility space makes sense, given the markets recent expansion. In November 2024, a McKinsey & Company study found that U.S. shared-micromobility trips (meaning rides on services like rentable bikes and e-scooters) are expected to double by 2035 at the very least, as many cities begin to implement more regulations around car usage. Further, a McKinsey consumer survey of more than 4,000 respondents found that 24% regularly use micromobility (at least once a week) and 30% plan to increase their usage in the future.The trend of increasingly bulky carsdubbed car bloat by Fast Company contributor David Zippermeans that smaller cars, like sedans and station wagons, are being phased out. Instead, carmakersparticularly Detroits Big Threeare prioritizing SUVs and pickups, which offer larger margins. The literally increasing size of the market means that theres an opportunity for competitors who can offer smaller forms of transportation, letting consumers bypass the disadvantages of navigating and parking a hulking vehicle in urban areas.This thesis seems to be one of Alsos guiding principles. In an interview with InsideEVs, Yu shared that Alsos mini-EV offerings are meant to address a growing demand for small vehicles that can navigate dense urban areas with less hassle.I think theres this pent-up demand, even if it may not be explicitly known, to do better than sitting in traffic and battling for car spaces for short trip missions, like going to Trader Joes, doing a kid drop-off, etc., Yu said.In order to compel consumers to choose an EV over a gas-powered alternative, like a standard golf cart, for example, Yu clarified to Transport Topics that Also will aim to offer competitive prices and a more personalized brand experience.An uncertain climate for EVsAlso is debuting in the midst of an uncertain environment for EV manufacturers. After taking office in January, President Trump has threatened to take away tax credits for EVs and issued a directive that puts a pause on the construction of new national EV charging infrastructure. Meanwhile, the decline of Elon Musks Tesla has caused some experts to worry that the rest of the industry could face ripple effects from a barrage of bad press around EVs.Still, back in February, Scaringe assured Fast Company that Rivian (and, now, presumably Also) isnt basing its future development plans on current policy.Instead, he said, the company views its decisions on a much more long-term basis.The product roadmap we built, the technology weve developed, the way were designing and building and growing the businesses, is really being architected around a long-term view that the market will move over time to 100% electric, Scaringe said at the time.