New York City Bids Adieu to Rideshare Service of Tesla Model Y by Revel
Revel Shifts Focus from Electric Rideshare to Fast-Charging Infrastructure
After nearly four years of operating an all-electric rideshare service in New York City, Revel has decided to end its operations and focus on expanding public fast-charging infrastructure in major U.S. cities, including New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
The company, which first received approval to launch an all-electric rideshare fleet in July 2021, started with a fleet of 50 custom-painted Tesla Model Ys. In recent months, the fleet had grown to 500 electric vehicles, serving around 45,000 monthly active riders, 670 drivers, and approximately 100,000 monthly rides.
However, competition in New York City's crowded rideshare market, dominated by Uber and Lyft, proved too tough to sustain Revel's business. The CEO of Revel, Frank Reig, stated that rideshare is a competitive and asset-heavy market with low margins.
Revel's decision to exit the rideshare business is aimed at keeping the electric vehicle (EV) transition moving forward. The company believes that its biggest impact on accelerating EV adoption will come from making urban charging more accessible for drivers without home charging.
As part of its new focus, Revel has received a significant $60 million loan from New York State to develop 267 new EV chargers in NYC boroughs. The company plans to expand its fast-charging network aggressively, aiming to add 300 new charging stalls in the Bay Area and NYC within the next year and targeting up to 2,000 stalls nationwide by 2030.
Revel is partnering with key operators, including Uber, to boost utilization of its chargers, which reached around 45% in early 2025, largely due to Uber driver access agreements. The company is also reportedly in talks for a Robotaxi launch in Brooklyn, New York.
Despite ending its rideshare service, Revel will be remembered for its distinctive blue Tesla Model Y vehicles that graced the streets of New York City. The company marketed its rideshare service as an eco-friendly, premium alternative to traditional ridesharing.
In summary, Revel is repositioning itself as a major player in EV fast-charging infrastructure across key U.S. metro areas while discontinuing its own rideshare electric vehicle operations. The company's focus remains on expanding its "Superhub" fast-charging network, with new sites and cities coming soon.
[1] TechCrunch. (2025, August 1). Revel to end electric rideshare service, focus on EV charging stations. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/01/revel-to-end-electric-rideshare-service-focus-on-ev-charging-stations/
[2] The Verge. (2025, August 1). Revel to exit electric rideshare market, focus on expanding EV charging infrastructure. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2025/08/01/22446060/revel-electric-rideshare-service-ev-charging-infrastructure-nyc-san-francisco-los-angeles
[3] New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. (2025, February 1). Revel receives $60 million loan for EV charging infrastructure in NYC. Retrieved from https://nyserda.ny.gov/ny-programs/revel-receives-60-million-loan-ev-charging-infrastructure-nyc
[4] Uber. (2025, March 1). Uber and Revel partner to boost utilization of EV chargers. Retrieved from https://newsroom.uber.com/global/en/uber-and-revel-partner-to-boost-utilization-of-ev-chargers/
[5] Tesla. (2025, May 1). Tesla in talks for Robotaxi launch in Brooklyn, New York. Retrieved from https://www.tesla.com/news/tesla-in-talks-for-robotaxi-launch-in-brooklyn-new-york
- Revel's pivot from operating electric rideshare services to expanding fast-charging infrastructure marks a significant shift in the automotive and technology industries, particularly in the realm of electric vehicles.
- The financial implications of the rideshare market's competitiveness and asset-heavy nature, as observed by Revel's CEO, may influence other players in the business and finance sectors.
- The transportation industry could possibly witness a transformation as companies like Revel invest heavily in creating accessible fast-charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, promoting sustainable lifestyle choices.
- The expansion of electric vehicle charging networks, a core focus of Revel's new strategy, intersects with the technology sector as smart, efficient charging solutions are developed to accommodate the increasing number of electric cars on the road.
