Revel Expands into EV Charging with New York City Superhub

Revel, a company known for its shared electric moped services, is now venturing into the electric vehicle (EV) charging market. They are constructing a DC fast-charging station in New York City, marking the beginning of a planned expansion to other urban centers.

First Superhub Location and Details

The company announced on Wednesday the establishment of its inaugural “Superhub” at the site of the former Pfizer building in Brooklyn. This facility will feature 30 charging points and operate around the clock, providing 24/7 public access.

This Brooklyn location represents the first installment in a network of Superhubs that Revel intends to deploy throughout New York City.

Charging Infrastructure and Technology

Revel opted to partner with Tritium for the EV charging infrastructure, rather than developing it internally. The initial ten chargers at the Brooklyn site will utilize Tritium’s RTM75 model, scheduled to become operational this spring.

These chargers are engineered to provide approximately 100 miles of additional range to an electric vehicle in roughly 20 minutes, as stated by Revel.

Electrification Mission and Market Context

Revel frames its entry into the EV charging sector as a commitment to urban electrification. This move coincides with a broader trend of increased EV production from established automakers like GM, Ford, and VW Group, as well as emerging companies such as Rivian and industry leader Tesla.

Company Growth and Funding

This expansion into charging signifies Revel’s first new product offering since the launch of its electric moped fleet in 2018. Founded by Frank Reig and Paul Suhey, the company began with a pilot program in Brooklyn.

Subsequent expansion included service to Queens, the Bronx, and parts of Manhattan. A Series A funding round in October 2019, led by Ibex Investors and totaling $27.6 million, fueled this rapid growth.

The funding round also saw participation from Toyota AI Ventures, Blue Collective, Launch Capital, and Maniv Mobility.

Moped Operations and Expansion

Currently, several thousand Revel mopeds are available for rent within New York City. The company broadened its moped-sharing business to cities including Austin, Miami, and Washington, D.C. within its first year and a half of operation.

In the following year, Revel launched services in Oakland and secured a permit to operate in San Francisco in July 2020.

Challenges and Market Adjustments

Despite initial success, shared moped services have not proven viable in all locations. Revel withdrew from Austin in December, citing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ridership and the challenges of penetrating the city’s established car-centric culture.