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Recharge Wrap-up: Nissan Leaf's UK milestone, SF's renewable diesel

San Francisco's municipal fleet will use renewable diesel, according to Mayor Edwin M. Lee. Switching to the greener fuel will reduce the fleet's greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60 percent. "By changing our fleet's fuel from petroleum to renewable diesel, we're taking action that is good for the global climate, and at the same time promotes environmental justice in our community by leading to cleaner, healthier air for some of our most vulnerable neighborhoods," Lee says. While renewable diesel is more expensive than the petroleum-based product, with government incentives, it could end up saving the city money. Read more from Biodiesel Magazine. Nissan has sold its 10,000th Leaf in the UK. As of July 6, Nissan has tallied 10,161 Leaf sales since its 2011 launch in the UK. More than half of those were sold in the last 12 months. Nissan sold 2,964 Leaf EVs in the first half of this year, an increase of 69.4 percent over last year. "The UK's electric vehicle market is growing at an extraordinary pace," says Nissan's James Wright, "and while it may be too early to talk about tipping points, today's achievement certainly indicates we're well on our way." The Nissan Leaf is the best selling battery electric vehicle in the UK. Read more from EV Meerkat. ClipperCreek has added a new 40-amp EV charger to its lineup. Called the HCS-50, the 240-volt level 2 charger is designed to serve both residential and commercial markets. "The HCS-50's rugged design and ample 25 foot charging cable make it a perfect solution for fleet and commercial applications," says ClipperCreek Sales Manager Will Barrett. "As battery range increases, the vehicle's ability to accept power is increasing, too, and the HCS-50 offers users extra power to get their vehicles charged up and back on the road fast." The HCS-50 charging station is priced at $835. Read more in the press release below. ClipperCreek Announces Availability of HCS-50 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Top selling EVSE manufacturer releases high-powered 40 amp EV charging station AUBURN, Calif., July 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- ClipperCreek has added the HCS-50 electric vehicle charging station to their product line. The HCS-50 is a powerful and rugged 40 amp station paired with a highly durable rubber overmolded cable and vehicle connector. Offering power, reliability and value, this 240 volt, level 2 electric vehicle charging station, rated for both indoor and outdoor use, is priced at $835.

Recharge Wrap-Up: Georgia lawyers love the Nissan Leaf, 2B vehicles by 2035

Loads of lawyers at a firm in Georgia are taking advantage of the state's EV tax credit. Georgia offers a tax credit on leases and purchases of electric vehicles for 20 percent of the car's value, up to $5,000. This has created a trend among lawyers at Arnall Golden Gregory, who one after another have been switching from gas-powered cars to the all-electric Nissan Leaf. They appreciate the environmental benefits, as well as toll exemption and access to HOV lanes, but the tax credit seems to be the biggest motivation to switch. Says lawyer Scott Wandstrat, "Everybody is signing up, now that all the cool kids are doing it." Read more at Daily Report. (Thanks to Kevin D. for the tip!) There's an easy way to see what kind of battery pack a Tesla Model S is using. Underneath the car on the passenger side, just behind the front wheel is a sticker on the outside of the battery pack. At the top is the battery size, 60 kWh or 85 kWh. Below that is a part number, followed by a letter. According to this Tesla Motors Club wiki, those numbers denote new or refurbished battery packs. The A, B or D following that number refers to the generation of battery, which also corresponds to charging capabilities. Knowing how to decode a Tesla pack could be useful if you ever need to replace your battery. Get more details at Teslarati. There will be 2 billion vehicles in use by 2035, according to a forecast by Navigant Research. The group who brought you the fuel consumption figures we shared with you previously estimates that there are currently almost 1.2 billion light-duty vehicles in use today. Navigant expects stop-start technology to grow, with 45 percent of vehicles on the road being equipped with it by 2035. Read more at Green Car Reports. The Hybrid Shop, which specializes in reconditioning batteries, is now an AskPatty Certified Female Friendly Auto Repair Facility. AskPatty, an automotive website which offers advice for women, credits The Hybrid Shop for providing a safe and comfortable environment for women, as well as offering valuable automotive services. The Hybrid Shop has launched its own corresponding microsite, which offers the resources most requested by women. Learn more in the press release below.

Auto industry insider previews tell-all book, What Did Jesus Drive?

"It's about some of the biggest crises in history. It's about who did it right and who did it wrong." - Jason Vines
Jason Vines, the former head of public relations at Chrysler, Ford and Nissan, has seen a lot during his more than 30-year career, and now he's offering a behind-the-scenes look at the auto industry in his tell-all book What Did Jesus Drive? that went on sale this month.