On Monday, Revel marked a significant milestone by launching its first electric vehicle (EV) charging station in California. This new hub, situated in the vibrant Mission neighborhood of San Francisco, is set to transform the local EV charging landscape.
The newly opened station boasts 12 high-powered chargers, each capable of delivering an impressive 320 kilowatts. This makes it one of the fastest charging options available in the area. Notably, half of the charging units are equipped with Tesla-style plugs, while the other half utilize the Combined Charging System (CCS), which is compatible with nearly all non-Tesla electric vehicles currently on the market.
According to Paul Suhey, Revel’s co-founder and COO, the goal of this initiative is to create a reliable urban fast-charging network that caters to all EV drivers. “Without widespread access to fast charging, the adoption of electric vehicles will stagnate,” he emphasized during the station’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Revel differentiates itself in the charging market by focusing on establishing stations in densely populated urban areas. In a city like San Francisco, which already hosts a significant number of EVs and charging stations, Revel aims to enhance reliability and user experience. Suhey pointed out that many existing charging stations suffer from technical issues, leading to frustration among drivers. “Our objective is to ensure that when you arrive at a Revel station, you can count on a working charger, a smooth charging session, and a quick turnaround,” he said.
To achieve this, Revel plans to develop larger stations with multiple chargers—ideally featuring 8, 12, or even 30 charging points. This approach is akin to creating dedicated charging stations, similar to traditional gas stations, rather than simply adding chargers as an afterthought in parking lots.
Revel’s ambitions extend far beyond this initial station. Over the next year, the company plans to introduce an additional 125 charging plugs across the San Francisco Bay Area, with two more stations planned in San Francisco, two in Oakland, two near the airport, and one in downtown San Jose. Furthermore, Revel is also looking to expand its presence in New York City, with plans to operate a total of 300 chargers by the end of 2025, including a substantial 60-stall location in Queens.
This expansion is timely, as San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie highlighted that electric vehicles now account for one-third of the city’s vehicle sales over the past two years, indicating a growing demand for reliable EV infrastructure.
