Revel Ceases Ride-Hailing Operations in NYC to Accelerate EV Charging Network Expansion

Revel, the company known for its electric scooter rentals and later its distinctive ride-hailing service, has announced the permanent closure of its ride-hailing business in New York City. This strategic pivot marks a significant shift for the company, which first entered the mobility market by renting electric scooters in 2019. Moving forward, Revel intends to concentrate its efforts and resources on bolstering its burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) charging business.

Customers attempting to use Revel’s ride-hailing service on Monday were met with a message thanking them for their patronage over the past four years and confirming the service’s closure. Revel’s website echoed this sentiment, stating, “Moving forward, Revel will continue to grow our Fast Charging business with more sites and cities opening soon.” The company currently operates five EV charging stations in New York and one in San Francisco.

Frank Reig, co-founder and CEO of Revel, explained the company’s decision, stating in a release, “We have made the difficult decision that the best way we can keep the EV transition moving forward is by ending our rideshare service and focusing on building the fast charging infrastructure our biggest cities need to keep going electric.”

Revel plans to sell or return the fleet of bright-blue Tesla and Kia vehicles that constituted its ride-hailing service. Additionally, the company will divest its 165 “for-hire vehicle license plates,” which Reig indicated could fetch between $20,000 and $25,000 each, according to Bloomberg News. This move is expected to generate substantial capital for reinvestment into the charging infrastructure.

Revel first introduced its EV fast chargers in 2021, coinciding with the launch of its all-electric ride-hail fleet. Initially, the charging business saw slow adoption, with total network utilization in early 2023 standing at just 21%, a figure heavily influenced by Revel’s own ride-hailing vehicles using 19% of that capacity. However, by early 2025, utilization rates had climbed to 45%, with Revel’s fleet accounting for only 12% of the total charging activity.

A significant catalyst for the charging business’s growth was a partnership struck in 2024 with Uber, which began directing many of its drivers to Revel’s charging stations. Building on this momentum, Revel has ambitious expansion plans, aiming to have over 400 charging stalls operational across Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco by the end of 2026.