Revel is ditching its ride-hailing business and going all in on EV charging

Revel is leaving the ride-hailing business behind and going full-speed ahead into electric vehicle charging.

The company said Monday that it is ending its ride-hailing service. Revel provided the option in the New York City metro area with a fleet of all-electric Tesla vehicles.

“After 4 years and countless electric rides, we have made the difficult decision to permanently close our rideshare service today,” the company said in an email sent to customers on Monday and viewed by Business Insider.

The company said it is staying in the electric vehicle business, though: Revel plans to add charging stations in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, the email to customers said. The startup struck a partnership last year with Uber to expand EV charging stations in New York.

“If you’ve got an EV, we hope you’ll charge up with us,” the message read.

A similar message appeared on Revel’s website on Monday.

Bloomberg earlier reported on Revel’s plans to end its rideshare business. A Revel spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Revel launched its ride-hailing service in New York City in 2021. Back then, the company offered rides using a fleet of Tesla Model Ys and drivers who were employees, not independent contractors, like Lyft and Uber use.

Last year, Revel laid off its employee drivers and switched to a gig-work model. The service had about 1,000 drivers before it made the change, Bloomberg reported at the time.

Revel also previously offered moped rentals in New York City but ended that service after a pair of fatal accidents involving the company’s vehicles.

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