Revel Opens First Fast Charging Station in NYC

Revel, a Brooklyn-based all-electric rideshare company, has expanded its EV charging network in New York City with the official opening of a new fast-charging station at Pier 36 in Manhattan on September 26, 2024. This station is the first of its kind in the borough and operates 24/7, offering the public more convenient access to EV charging.

Revel has been pivotal in promoting EV adoption in New York City by not only providing charging infrastructure but also complementary services that encourage the transition to electric vehicles. This expansion further supports the city’s broader clean energy and sustainability goals.

Revel held a ceremony in Manhattan to officially open its newest EV charging station at Pier 36, located at 299 South Street. The site features ten DC fast chargers equipped with both NACS and CCS plugs, offering charge rates of up to 320 kW, the fastest in the city. This new station will be the first to serve the public 24/7, with no hidden fees, making it accessible to both taxi drivers and independent EV owners.

Frank Reig, Co-Founder and CEO of Revel, announced the historic achievement, thanking Con Edison, who “worked with us hand-in-hand to bring power to this site.”

Reig said: “Days like yesterday are rare, but they’ll be happening a lot more at Revel… We closed the day with an awesome celebration uptown with our seed investor Maniv and friends at BlackRock, Uber, WEX and Kempower. Thank you Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi, NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission Commissioner Do, Senator Brian Kavanagh, ConEd’s Dr. Britt Reichborn-Kjennerud, New York City Economic Development Corporation’s Jonathan Schulhof and Kempower’s Jed Routh for joining me to cut the ribbon.”

Revel emphasized that this charging hub is the first always-open public station in Manhattan, further strengthening New York City’s EV infrastructure and supporting the city’s growing number of electric vehicle drivers. This marks another significant step in Revel’s efforts to make EV adoption more convenient in the city.

NYC’s taxi and limousine commissioner David Do said, “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Climate Week NYC than by opening up a new EV charging hub. Every single hub from Revel and other providers makes our city cleaner, greener, healthier, and more livable. Every hub also makes it easier for for-hire drivers to switch to an EV, save on costs, and put money back in their pockets. This much-needed hub puts a new power option on the map for both TLC drivers and all New Yorkers who are already driving EVs, or considering the switch.”

Revel’s Fleet Includes Kia Niro EVs

In 2021, Revel gained attention for launching its sky-blue electric taxis, including Kia Niro EVs, in New York City as part of its fleet expansion. The 2024 Kia Niro is one of the hottest new EV models available today in America.

The demand for sustainable rideshare options in NYC is high, but Revel’s strategy focuses on addressing a critical challenge: EV charging infrastructure. To support both its own all-electric taxi fleet and other EV drivers in the city, Revel has been actively developing and installing Level 3 fast chargers across New York.

At the start of this rollout, Revel had fewer than 30 fast-charging stalls citywide. However, it outlined ambitious plans to expand its network, including a 60-stall “Superhub” in Queens and additional stations across all five boroughs. The recent opening of the 24/7 charging station at Pier 36 in Manhattan marks the fulfillment of part of those plans, offering the borough its first public EV charging station and advancing the city’s shift toward electrification.

New York City’s Green Rides Initiative

Revel’s efforts align with the goals of New York City’s Green Rides Initiative, led by Commissioner David Do, which mandates that all rideshare vehicles must be either zero-emission or wheelchair accessible by 2030. This initiative has already made significant progress, being two years ahead of schedule according to a recent report. The expansion of public EV charging stations, like Revel’s new Pier 36 site, plays a critical role in accelerating this transition by providing the necessary infrastructure for both rideshare drivers and independent EV owners.

With the Pier 36 station now operational, Revel’s network includes 64 public fast chargers, the largest in New York City. The company has ambitious plans to further expand, aiming to reach 300 chargers by the end of 2025. This includes significant projects like a 60-stall Superhub in Maspeth, Queens, and a 48-stall station outside LaGuardia Airport, which would be the largest non-airport charging station in the U.S. Revel’s growth is expected to significantly boost the city’s shift to cleaner vehicles in the rideshare sector.

Revel’s current and upcoming station map reveals:

Current Revel charging stations
Bedford-Stuyvesant (Brooklyn) – 25 stalls
South Williamsburg (Brooklyn) – 15 stalls
Long Island City (Queens) – 14 stalls
Lower Manhattan (Pier 36) – 10 stalls

Upcoming Revel stations in NYC
LaGuardia – 48 stalls
Maspeth – 60 stalls
Red Hook – 20 stalls
South Bronx – 25 stalls

Other US cities in the works
Los Angeles
Oakland
San Francisco
San José