Brooklyn-based electric vehicle charging infrastructure startup Revel has officially launched its first fast-charging station in San Francisco, marking the beginning of its expansion plans across the Bay Area over the next year. This move comes as the company aims to capitalize on the region's high rate of electric vehicle (EV) ownership, with over 35% of new vehicle sales in San Francisco being electric in 2024, compared to the national average of around 8%.

Revel's inaugural West Coast charging station, located in the Mission District, features 12 chargers with 320 kW capacity, built by EV charging company Kempower. Like Revel's stations across New York City, these chargers will be publicly accessible 24/7 to any make and model of EV. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, who cut the ribbon at Revel's opening on Monday, praised the new chargers, stating that they will make it easier for residents to make the switch to EVs.

Revel's expansion into the Bay Area is a strategic move, given the region's strong demand for EV charging infrastructure. The company plans to add more than 125 chargers to the urban centers of San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and South Francisco over the next year. This move is expected to significantly enhance the region's EV charging capabilities, making it more convenient for EV owners to charge their vehicles on the go.

Revel's San Francisco launch comes on the heels of the startup's recent expansion at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, where it opened 24 new chargers within the airport's for-hire vehicle hold lot. Last month, Revel secured a $60 million loan from New York's clean energy investment fund NY Green Bank to more than triple its fast-charging network in the city. The company aims to expand to 300 chargers in New York by the end of this year, including a 60-stall site in Maspeth, Queens, and a 48-stall site outside of LaGuardia Airport.

According to Paul Suhey, co-founder and COO of Revel, the company's mission is to bring reliable fast-charging to dense urban areas where EVs can have the biggest impact on quality of life, but where charging is hardest to come by. Revel's expansion into the Bay Area marks a significant milestone in achieving this goal, as the region is poised to become a hub for EV adoption in the United States.

The implications of Revel's expansion are far-reaching, as it sets a precedent for other EV charging infrastructure startups to follow suit. As the demand for EVs continues to grow, the need for reliable and convenient charging infrastructure will become increasingly important. Revel's move into the Bay Area is a significant step towards creating a comprehensive EV charging network that can support the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

In conclusion, Revel's launch of its first fast-charging station in San Francisco marks a significant milestone in the company's expansion plans, and underscores the growing demand for EV charging infrastructure in the Bay Area. As the company continues to expand its network across the region, it is likely to have a profound impact on the adoption of electric vehicles, and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable transportation ecosystem.