Revel To Launch NYC EV Rideshare Service, But Company Strategy Is More About EV Charging

Revel will launch an NYC EV rideshare service with FHV licenses granted before the EV exemption was removed. However, Revel's strategy seems to be more about EV charging infrastructure than rideshare

Although the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) voted to remove the EV exemption to the FHV License Pause (aka TLC Plate) on June 22nd, Revel will still launch its all EV (Tesla Model Ys) rideshare service in NYC (i.e., technically, the company applied and received 50 for-hire vehicle (FHV) licenses before the EV exemption was removed). Firstly, I think it’s fair that Revel receive the FHV licenses it applied for before the EV exemption was removed. I also think it’ll be nice to see another company compete with Uber/Lyft for NYC passengers. However, I want to make two points on why I think the Company:

1. Will struggle to gain traction with its NYC rideshare service, and

2. Is actually not that interested in a growing a rideshare service, but rather in being a leading NYC EV charging infrastructure company

W2 vs. Independent Contractor

Based on my interactions with hundreds (if not thousands) of NYC TLC drivers over the years, I do not think a W2 employee model will work with most TLC driv…