NYC rideshare operation by Revel ceases, prioritizing expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure instead
In a significant move, Revel, the electric vehicle (EV) company, has decided to discontinue its all-electric rideshare service, effective as of August 2025. The company is now focusing its efforts on expanding its fast-charging infrastructure for EVs in major U.S. cities.
Revel currently operates around 100 fast chargers across New York City and San Francisco, with plans to add approximately 300 new charging stalls in the Bay Area and NYC within the next 12 months. The long-term goal is to reach as many as 2,000 fast charging stalls nationwide by 2030, including a new fast-charging hub planned for Los Angeles in 2026.
This strategic shift follows operational challenges and a decline in demand for the rideshare service. Revel’s CEO Frank Reig emphasized the importance of dedicated fast-charging infrastructure to advance urban EV adoption, focusing efforts on rideshare-dense urban areas where demand for reliable charging is increasing.
Notably, Revel has partnered with Uber since 2024 to serve driver charging needs, reflecting the transition from running its own fleet to supporting the broader EV rideshare ecosystem. Uber drivers have been using Revel’s chargers, with discounted charging rates boosting utilization rates to 45% in early 2025, even after Revel exited the rideshare business.
Key points on the current status and future plans include:
- Current deployment: About 100 fast chargers at six sites (five in NYC, one in San Francisco).
- Short-term expansion: Adding 300 additional charging stalls in the Bay Area and NYC by mid-2026.
- Long-term goal: Up to 2,000 fast chargers by 2030 across New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
- New hubs: Opening a hub in Los Angeles in 2026.
- Network utilization: Usage of charging stalls grew from 21% in 2023 to 45% in early 2025, with minimal charging by Revel’s own fleet after exiting rideshare.
- Focus: Building charging infrastructure to support rideshare drivers from partners like Uber and Lyft, responding to local regulations such as NYC’s Green Rides Initiative encouraging zero-emission rideshare trips.
Revel’s website has been updated with a message announcing the end of the rideshare service. The company is also seeking buyers for its 165 for-hire vehicle license plates.
This move by Revel underscores a broader industry trend prioritizing robust EV fast-charging networks to sustain urban electrification and accommodate the growing number of electric rideshare vehicles.
[1] Revel Press Release: "Revel Announces Focus on Fast-Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles" (August 2025) [2] The Verge: "Revel to exit New York City rideshare business, focus on charging infrastructure" (August 2025) [3] TechCrunch: "Revel to exit New York City rideshare business, focus on charging infrastructure" (August 2025)
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