Brooklyn’s Revel launches Tesla rideshares

First electric 'superhub' for charging vehicles set in Brooklyn

April 30, 2021 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

This artist rendering, provided in New York, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, shows the vehicle charging station station by electric transportation company Revel, to be built in the Brooklyn borough of New York. The site is the former Pfizer building, that once housed the company's drug manufacturing operations and was its first headquarters. Courtesy of WeDo via AP

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Electric mobility company Revel, founded in Brooklyn in 2018, announced this week that it is launching an all-electric, all-employee rideshare service in New York City.

While the service will launch in late May in Manhattan, with a fleet of 50 blue Teslas available for pickups and dropoffs below 42nd Street, the company is expected to expand its service area within the next year to other areas of the city.

Revel’s rideshare service will also help the company accelerate the buildout of its fast-charging Superhub network in New York City.

The first Superhub, slated to “go live” in June, will be located at the historic former Pfizer Building in Williamsburg and will have 30 stations capable of delivering 100 miles of charge to vehicles in about 20 minutes, the company announced earlier this year. The chargers will be open to the public on a 24/7 basis and accessible to owners of any electric vehicle brand.

“Cities like New York don’t need another company promising electric fleets in 2030 — they need companies delivering now,” said Revel CEO and Co-Founder Frank Reig. “Revel is building a platform to electrify cities, and rideshare is a key part of it.”

A Revel employee in front of a “Revel-blue” all-electric Tesla Model Y. Photo courtesy of Revel

Unlike the traditional rideshare model, the new Revel fleet will be owned and maintained by the company, with drivers brought on as employees rather than independent contractors. Drivers will receive training and will have access to benefits including health care and paid time off, the company said.

“The future of our planet depends on the actions we take today. New Yorkers need sustainable transportation options and Revel’s newest rideshare program offers the city tangible ways to reduce its carbon footprint,” said U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx).

Revel’s fleet of Tesla Model Ys will have distinct features like extra legroom, with the front passenger seat removed from each car, and the ability for passengers to control the temperature and music through an interactive touchscreen.

All cars will follow the same COVID-19 guidelines, with a partition separating the driver from the passenger(s) and daily cleanings by the Revel team, according to the company.

“Going electric should be an easy decision,” said Revel COO and Co-Founder Paul Suhey. “The experience will feel like a free upgrade, so choosing Revel should be a no-brainer for New Yorkers.”

Revel first became known for offering shared electric mopeds, a service that spread across the country. E-Bikes were later added by the company.