Amazon, Also Partner for Electric Delivery Vehicles

Amazon pilots a new four-wheeled pedal-powered electric car built Alsosubsidiary of an electric truck manufacturer Rivianto make city logistics cleaner and more efficient. A vehicle called TM-Q– combines the stability and carrying capacity of a small van with the compactness of a van. e-bike. Amazon plans to roll out TM-Q in several major cities as part of its broader strategy to decarbonize last-mile delivery.

TM-Q is designed to solve one of the toughest challenges in urban logistics: moving heavy loads quickly through crowded city centers where trucks are inefficient and often undesirable. Designed to weave through traffic jams and park in tight spaces, this vehicle allows couriers to pedal at top speed. electric assistant or switch to full battery power on steep slopes. TM-Q also reduces the emissions and noise levels that have made traditional vans a target for new ones. rules for low emission zones throughout Europe and United States.

This project marks the first large-scale deployment pedal assist The global logistics company's “micro vans” are the new middle ground between cargo bikes and cargo vans.

Rivian micromobility spin-off

Also started out as internal Rivian project to explore how the company's expertise in electric vehicles could extend to micromobility. It became an independent company in early 2025, receiving US$105 million in Series A funding from Eclipse Ventures. Rivian retains a minority stake and is the founder R.J. Scaringe also serves on the board of directors.

“Everything we have learned from Electric Van (EDV) program The program allows Amazon to manage both Rivian electric vans and the new Too ATVs through a common fleet management system, a logistical benefit for the company that already operates more than 25,000 Rivian EDVs worldwide.

All of Too's hardware and software are built in-house using Rivian's automotive architecture expertise, but with a separate supply chainleadership team and technology stack.

The TM-Q's electronically controlled pedal powertrain combines human input with the same safety-tested control logic found in full-size electric vehicles, just scaled down for a bicycle. Torque and cadence sensors on the crank arm measure how hard and fast the rider pedals. These signals are sent to a controller, which determines in milliseconds how much electricity add from the rear hub motor. The harder the rider pushes, the more assistance the system provides – up to legal limits (250W continuous power in the EU and higher in the US).

“We're applying vehicle-level engineering to cars that ride on urban bike paths.” – Chris Yu, also

Because the transmission is all-electronic, the gear ratio can also be adjusted through software updates, a practice borrowed from Rivian's EV tuning. The system is also used regenerative brakingrestoring a small amount of energy to recharge the battery when slowing down or stopping.

Power is supplied from a modular replaceable unit. lithium-ion packaging that is light enough to be carried in your hands. Standard batteries provide approximately 538 Wh for a range of up to 112 kilometers (70 miles), while larger 808 Wh batteries increase range to 160 km (100 miles). Both versions support regenerative brakingwhich adds about 25 percent to the effective range. For charging, USB-C PD 3.1 is used – the latest major version. USB power standard. The updated charging method delivers faster and more efficient power transfer (up to 240W in this case), and the connection between charger and battery is designed to prevent problems such as overheating and thermal escape that cause fires. It is also said that the power banks are designed for bi-directional power flow, which means they can be used as portable power sources. banks.

Battery swapping stations are also being developed so couriers can swap out dead batteries in minutes instead of waiting for a recharge, which is key to conserving battery power. e-bikes on the move during multi-shift work.

TM-Q includes a lockable cargo area, logistics and charging management software, and a 12.7 cm (5 in) diagonal touchscreen for navigation and diagnostics. Amazon plans to service ATVs through its network of more than 70 micromobility centers in North America and Europe.

Pedal ATV Scaling Issues

Pedal-powered four-wheelers have been attempted before, but scaling them up has proven difficult. IN European UnionPedal-powered ATVs under 250 watts often qualify as bicyclesbut in the US they fall into a gray area between e-bikes and lightweight bikes. electric cars. Each state has different speed and power limits, making large-scale deployment difficult.

The company's approach is also to adapt each regional configuration to local micromobility laws. The company's two main platforms illustrate this flexibility: the TM-Q, an ATV designed to provide the capacity of almost a cargo van but optimized to adhere to bike lanes, and the two-wheeled TM-B, a consumer-focused pedal-assisted e-bike with a top speed of 45 km/h (28 mph). The TM-B has open seating for passengers or products and can be configured with other body styles built on the same chassis.

The company says both the TM-Q and TM-B are tested for automotive-grade reliability and reliability. safety standardswhich exceeds traditional e-bike durability standards. Frames and electrical systems are subject to vibration, shock and water resistance tests equivalent to those used to certify full-size models. electric cars.

Also President Chris Yu says the company doesn't just make bicycles with motors. “We're applying vehicle-level engineering to cars that ride on urban bike paths.”

The Amazon-Also partnership reflects a broader industry shift toward “right-sizing” delivery fleets—using the smallest, most efficient vehicle for each route. Cities such as London, New York and Paris are tightening restrictions on van access and idling, making compact electric vehicles not only environmentally beneficial but also subject to regulation.

Also claims that TM Series vehicles are 10 to 50 times more energy efficient than local car or SUV travel, helping to meet cities' emissions reduction goals without the need for new road infrastructure.

Initial production of the TM-Q is scheduled for early 2026, with final assembly taking place in early 2026. Taiwanwhere most of the world's high-quality e-bike production is located. Several key components, including frames and assemblies, are made in the USA, Also says.

If TM-Q delivers on its promise, city streets could soon trade four tons of steel for four wheels and a set of pedals, reshaping last-mile delivery one bike lane at a time.