This collaboration will also help increase charging options for communities in New York that lack charging infrastructure, such as the Bronx and Queens. Currently, Revel is seeking to raise $200 million for the construction of its charging infrastructure and plans to achieve profitability in the fourth quarter of this year.
Revel co-founder and CEO Frank Reig stated, "Both parties intend to use this as a framework and bring this model to other large ride-sharing markets." Revel plans to build over 500 charging stations in the New York and San Francisco areas by 2025, including 48 public fast-charging stations near the rental car waiting area at LaGuardia Airport.
Revel currently operates 54 fast-charging stations outside of Manhattan in three boroughs, where most ride-hail drivers reside and complete trips. As part of the agreement, Revel will begin offering up to a 25% exclusive discount for Uber drivers in the coming weeks.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi called on policymakers and businesses to take more action to achieve zero emissions goals. As part of these plans, the company has pledged to invest $800 million by the end of next year to help drivers transition to electric vehicles. This funding has helped increase the mileage of electric vehicle trips-particularly in Europe.
According to Uber's data, in the third quarter of 2023, only 6.5% of all Uber vehicle miles traveled in North America were completed by electric vehicles. In California, this figure exceeds 10%, and in London, it is 20%. While Uber has not disclosed its progress in New York City, the Taxi and Limousine Commission stated that over 15% of trips taken through the platform locally are emissions-free or wheelchair accessible. Following the removal of caps on new licenses in October last year, the number of newly granted electric taxi and for-hire vehicle licenses in New York increased to around 10,000.
To achieve its goal of zero emissions globally by 2040, Uber needs to transition 6.8 million drivers and delivery people from using fossil fuel vehicles to owning or leasing electric vehicles. However, due to concerns about the convenience of charging stations and the impact of long charging times on drivers' working hours, some drivers are hesitant about this transition.
Uber offers incentives such as higher earnings for electric vehicle trips or up to $2,000 in subsidies for newly purchased Tesla vehicles, provided drivers complete 100 Uber trips on the new car.
