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Amazon Found A Cheaper Motor For Its Deliveries And It’s Called Human Legs

  • Also’s TM-Q quad trades horsepower for human power in urban deliveries.
  • Rivian’s spinoff designed the pedal-assisted quad Amazon plans to deploy.
  • Workers pedal to assist electric motors while carrying over 400 lbs of packages.

Amazon already fields thousands of Rivian-built electric delivery vans across the United States, but the next addition to its fleet will be much smaller, lighter, and human-powered. The company plans to deploy new pedal-assist quads from Also, the micromobility firm spun out of Rivian that’s carving its own niche in the urban logistics scene.

The TM-Q quad, unveiled this week alongside the two-wheeled TM-B, will hit the pavement in spring 2026.

Read: Rivian’s Spinoff Brand Also Is Selling A Futuristic Two-Wheeler With Pedals

Just like the TM-B electric bike that you can buy for a hefty $4,500, the TM-Q quad has a small battery, a generator, and two pedals. These pedals help to power the generator, and the pedal-by-wire drivetrain directs power to the rear.

However, whereas the TM-B has just two wheels, the TM-Q has four and can be configured in a variety of different ways. Amazon’s model has been previewed with a large cargo area at the rear that can reportedly hold more than 400 pounds of packages.

Importantly, it remains small enough to legally use bike lanes and could prove to be perfect for last-mile delivery services, particularly in large, densely populated cities. The e-commerce giant will use the T-MQ throughout the United States and Europe.

Rivian holds a minority stake in Also, and its boss, RJ Scaringe, will serve on Also’s board. The micromobility firm has received $105 million in funding from Eclipse and will make use of Rivian’s retail presence, economies, and scale.

 Amazon Found A Cheaper Motor For Its Deliveries And It’s Called Human Legs

Also says that the TM-Q has been designed, engineered, and tested to automotive standards. Consumer-focused versions of the quad will come without the cargo topper like Amazon’s model, and be available with several different rear beds, including one that has bench seating that fits up to four children.

“Amazon already operates more than 70 micromobility hubs in cities across the U.S. and Europe,” said Emily Barber, Amazon’s Director of Global Fleet.

“Micromobility solutions like pedal-assist e-cargo quads allow us to quickly deliver to customers in dense, urban cities, while helping reduce traffic and noise. Similar to our Rivian EDV partnership, working with ALSO provides an opportunity to continue to innovate in this space, building on our delivery logistics experience, paired with their advanced technology, safety, and performance features,” she added.

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Rivian’s Spinoff Brand Also Is Selling A Futuristic Two-Wheeler With Pedals

  • Rivian spinoff Also debuts its first e-bike, the innovative TM-B.
  • Features dual suspension, a mid-drive motor, and rugged design.
  • Sales and production details remain unclear, but interest is high.

It’s no secret that Rivian has had its eye on e-bikes for quite some time. Patents and other leaks have popped up over the years, but now, we’re finally getting a look at the results of that interest. What you see here is the new TM-B, which made its debut today.

It’s the flagship product from Also, a new brand spun off from Rivian. It’s an intriguing new e-bike option coming to a road near you soon, assuming the company can convince buyers to take the plunge on such an unconventional two-wheeler.

What Exactly Is It?

Also’s TM-B is less a conventional bicycle or even ebike, and more of a modular compact vehicle on two wheels. The design centers on a chunky, weatherproof block at the bottom of the frame.

Inside that block, you’ll find the battery, a small generator, and the pedal system. Notably, the pedals do not directly power the rear wheel at all. Instead, pedal strokes power the generator and the pedal-by-wire drivetrain sends power to the rear wheel.

More: The Cheapest Electric Audi e-tron You Can Buy Comes With Pedals

Also offers three distinct riding profiles and a swappable seat system. Buyers begin by choosing if they want the small or large seat. From there, they can add more seat options including a cargo seat and a moto-style bench seat.

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They can also choose between an All-Terrain package with knobby tires and two extra drive modes or a Street package with smoother tires. The AT package costs an extra $200 despite it appearing as though the only hardware changes are Kenda mountain bike tires.

A five-inch touchscreen cockpit with a rotatable bezel allows users to get important ride data along with GPS navigation. The bike features full suspension with 120mm of travel but Also doens’t say whether or not you can lock it out for climbing or flat roads.

The brakes are especially interesting as they feature regen technology to feed juice back to the battery and ABS. A special auto-lock system promises enhanced security as it locks the rear wheel, battery, and frame when engaged.

Also says it’ll sell bikes offering between 60 and 100 miles of range (roughly 97 to 161 kilometers) and up to 180 Nm (133 lb-ft) of torque. Payload tops out at 324 lbs (147 kilograms) on higher-spec models.

How Much Does It Cost?

The base TM-B will start at “under $4,000,” but the Launch Edition, available for order now, starts at $4,500 before options. That’s not a terrible price in this segment. No doubt, it’s aimed at people who are casually interested in two-wheeled travel. Hardcore cyclists will likely find it a bit lacking.

It may not replace a traditional bike, and it won’t appeal to every purist, but it does offer a refreshing reinterpretation of a form that’s been part of daily life for more than a century.

From Robots To EVs, Suzuki’s Tokyo Show Lineup Has It All

  • Suzuki Vision e-Sky previews an electric kei car for 2026 with 168-mile range.
  • It will debut at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 alongside various new models.
  • The lineup also features motorcycles, robots, and alternative-fuel vehicles.

Interest in small EVs continues to grow, and this year’s Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo looks set to highlight how compact design and electric efficiency can go hand in hand. Suzuki’s lineup for 2025 brings that idea to life with a mix of concept and production models.

The company’s showcase is headlined by the world premiere of the Vision e-Sky concept, a preview of a fully electric kei car that will enter production in the near future.

Compact Optimism

According to the company, the minicar is designed for daily commuting and short weekend trips. It follows the theme of “Unique, Smart, Positive” and aims to evoke a “cheerful” mood. It also appears to be the first vehicle to adopt Suzuki’s redesigned logo, featuring a flatter design and a matte aluminum finish.

More: Suzuki Irons Out A New Logo For The First Time In Over 20 Years

The Vision e-Sky adopts a hatchback silhouette with a short hood, minimal overhangs, a floating roof, and clean surfacing. The C-shaped LED headlights are combined with an illuminated grille and matching taillights. It rides on futuristic aero-style wheel covers and features flush door handles, although these might change for production.

In line with kei car packaging regulations, the EV measures 3,395 mm (133.7 inches) long, 1,475 mm (58.1 inches) wide, and 1,625 mm (64 inches) tall. Suzuki didn’t reveal the specifications of the electric motor or the battery pack but promises a driving range of over 270 km (168 miles) between charges.

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Suzuki

The interior looks close to production status. It features a digital cockpit, a floating center tunnel, ambient lighting, and a dashboard that doubles as a tray. We can also see touch-sensitive A/C controls, a futuristic steering wheel with integrated buttons, and new seats with purple headrests.

More: Suzuki’s Quirky Crossover Hides More Than A Fresh Face

The production version of the Vision e-Sky will arrive within the Japanese fiscal year 2026, which ends on March 31, 2027. As with the rest of Suzuki’s kei car lineup, sales will most likely be limited in Japan.

Other Exhibits

The Vision e-Sky will be joined by several two- and four-wheel vehicles, along with robots, micro-mobility solutions and outboard motors from Suzuki’s product lineup.

Among the automobiles we find the e Every Concept, an electric kei van with a 200 km (124-mile) range. First shown in 2023, it will soon evolve into a production model alongside the identical Daihatsu Hijet and Toyota Pixis Van.

Suzuki will also display the Fronx FFV Concept, powered by ethanol, and the Vitoris CBG that runs on CNG. As for production vehicles, visitors will be able to check out the new Suzuki XBee, along with the Spacia, e-Vitara, and Jimny Nomad.

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Suzuki

Two Wheels and More

In the two-wheel segment, Suzuki will showcase a fully electric version of the classic VanVan motorcycle updated with modern styling cues and LED lighting.

It will be joined by the e-Address production electric scooter, the DR-Z4SM supermoto, the retro-flavored GSX-8T and GSX-8TT production motorcycles, the GSX-R1000R superbike, the ethanol-powered GIXXER SF 250 FFV, a hydrogen-powered version of the Burgman, and the e-PO folding electric bicycle.

More: Honda To Reveal Two Mystery World Premieres At Tokyo Show

The company will also display a range of mobility solutions, some of which are evolved versions of earlier 2023 concepts. These include the MOQBA 2, a four-legged platform that can carry people or products, the SUZU-RIDE 2, a four-wheeled personal mobility scooter, and the Glydways, an autonomous pod designed for car sharing.

Finally, the MITRA concept is a tiny four-wheeled electric vehicle with AI tech designed to serve as undercarriage for a variety of robots.

The Japan Mobility Show 2025 will open its doors to the public from October 24 to November 3 at the Tokyo Big Sight convention center in the Ariake district.

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Suzuki

The Cheapest Electric Audi e-tron You Can Buy Comes With Pedals

  • The bikes start at $5,850 with an upgraded SRAM drivetrain and bigger EPTA STAGE brakes.
  • A new and updated Brose S-MAG motor delivers 250 watts and up to 90 Nm of torque.
  • It gets an RS Q e-tron-inspired livery and 180 mm suspension travel for serious trail riding.

Anyone who thought that Audi’s foray into ebikes might be a one-and-done better think again. The German automaker is back with a new ebike designed to crush trails with upgraded components and, somehow, a lower starting price. In fact, at just $5,850, it’s more attainable than some traditional ebikes that aren’t connected to luxury cars.

Built in partnership with Italian motorcycle and ebike builder Fantic, the eMTB 2.0 uses the same aluminum frame as the original Audi eMTB. At the same time, there are some key improvements here.

Read: McLaren Unleashes World’s Most Powerful Trail-Legal eBike Ever

The drivetrain now features a SRAM GX Eagle Transmission AXS electronic derailleur paired with a SRAM XX SL Eagle 12-speed 10-52T cassette for crisp wireless shifting. Braking gets a big boost too, thanks to new EPTA STAGE rotors measuring 220 mm up front and 203 mm at the rear. Sunstar F.I.R.S.T. calipers provided improved control when the trail points downward.

What doesn’t change is the electric motor. It remains a Brose S-MAG 250-watt unit good for up to 90 Nm of torque. A 720-Wh battery pack feeds it power while remaining fully integrated into the frame. Riders can pick from four assistance settings, including eco, tour, sport, and boost. It really feels like at least one of those should’ve been RS.

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That said, the eMTB will assist riders up to 20 mph and has a range that could be as little as 12 miles or as much as 90, depending on terrain and effort. Having ridden mountain bikes and eMTBs, that range will be plenty for the vast majority of folks. A small digital display keeps tabs on speed, assist level, and battery status.

This is what riders often call a mullet setup with a 29-inch wheel in the front and a 27.5-inch unit in the rear. That helps with managing big obstacles while keeping the bike nimble. An Öhlins RXF38 m.2 fork and TTX22m.2 rear shock provide 180mm of travel on each end, while Audi even offers some accessories to go with the bike, including a helmet and hydration pack. Deliveries are already underway to some lucky customers. 

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