NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Moped rental company Revel has been given the green light to launch a new ride-hailing service in New York City
In a press release, the company announced the new app-based service will launch on Aug. 2 with 50 baby blue Tesla Model Y SUVs.
Revel plans to launch the service in Manhattan, only south of 42nd Street for the time being. It is not clear when the company plans to expand further.
However, Revel notes there is much enthusiasm around the start of the service.
“Since Revel first announced plans to expand into rideshare, 50,000 people have joined the waitlist to become riders, and more than 1,200 drivers have applied to work for Revel,” the company said. “Revel will start with 125 drivers and 25 fleet and driver operations employees with guaranteed wages and access to benefits.”
In 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio had placed a limit on the number of app-based, for-hire vehicles allowed to operate in New York City, but allowed an exemption for electric, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, according to a Daily News report.
Revel announced plans to launch the car service in April, and the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission attempted to halt the plans in June, when it closed the loophole set by the mayor.
However, the Daily News notes that Revel’s Tesla fleet was approved by the TLC before the change went into effect.
At least 15 of Revel’s 50 Teslas have already passed inspection and are preparing to hit the road next week.
Revel CEO Frank Reig notes that the new service is hoping to encourage New Yorkers to choose electric vehicles.
“With our all-electric rideshare fleet and fast-charging Superhub network, we're investing in a zero-carbon transportation future,” he said in a statement. “We’d like to thank Commissioner Jarmoszuk and the TLC for supporting New York City’s climate goals, and working with us to get the city’s first all-electric, all-employee driven fleet on the road.”
A TLC spokesman told the Daily News there are about 120,000 taxi and for-hire vehicles on the road already and “the TLC continues to encourage as many of those vehicles to convert to battery electric vehicles as possible.”