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Kimbal Musk’s Tesla Model 3 giveaway is about the bigger picture

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Kimbal Musk is giving away his personal, fully-loaded Tesla Model 3 to help raise funds for Big Green, a nonprofit organization aimed at fostering learning gardens and food literacy among schoolchildren in the United States.

There is no doubt that one lucky donor to Kimbal’s fundraiser will bring home the incredibly rare VIN#006 Tesla. Looking at the rationale behind Big Green and the nonprofit’s long-term goals, however, it becomes evident that this particular fundraiser is more than just about a car — it is about being part of a change.

An avid food enthusiast, Kimbal Musk has been vocal about the state of nutrition among America’s children for years. In a TEDx Talk in Boulder back in 2011, Kimbal described how unhealthy eating habits have become so ingrained in children, interacting with healthy food has turned into an unfamiliar experience.

“Over the past few decades, we have not been responsible stewards. We’ve changed America’s culture from a food culture to a fuel culture. For children, it’s even worse. Fat and sugar is all they know. Going to a vegetable garden is like going to the zoo,” Kimbal said.

Kimbal’s reservations about how America’s young and their unhealthy eating habits are well-founded. Last year, researchers from Harvard simulated future obesity rates for the United States’ kids; and the results were alarming. According to the Harvard study, over 57% of children in America today could be obese by the time they reach the age of 35. This is far more than figures outlined in CDC’s recent study, which suggested that nearly 40% of America’s population is obese today. A huge part of this problem, of course, is America’s culture of embracing processed, industrial food. 

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This is where Kimbal Musk’s Big Green is trying to make a difference.

“Habits form early and so should a good diet. It all starts with real food.” – Kimbal Musk

Big Green builds Learning Gardens in America’s underserved schools. According to the nonprofit’s official website, the modular gardens are designed to be outdoor classrooms that literally teach children how to dig into their education and thrive in real, nutritious food and healthy eating habits. Big Green has established hundreds of these Learning Gardens across America to date, and it is hoping to build more.

 

In a recent blog post, Kimbal expressed how he hopes to establish Learning Gardens in 100,000 schools across the country. To accomplish this ambitious, characteristically Musk-esque goal, Kimbal and his team at Big Green would need to raise enough funding. 

Omaze, the organization helping in raising awareness for Big Green, will be giving away Kimbal Musk’s personal Tesla Model 3 as part of a fundraising initiative to build a healthier future for kids.

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“This ambitious goal will require a significant investment of resources, funding, and human capital. We must scale in order to fundamentally and radically alter the school food environment and ensure that all kids nationwide enjoy healthier futures through real food. While we’ve engaged some of the top US companies like Wells Fargo, Gordon Food Service, Chipotle, The Kitchen, Walmart, we need more American companies to join our efforts.

Reaching 100,000 schools in our lifetime is not something I can do by myself. This is a BIG effort for everyone in America. We must all try to make a Big Green effort to be part of the real food solution. I’m now asking you — CEOs, Governors, Superintendents, parents, and teachers — to support real food education. It’s time to step up to make real food in America a possibility before industrial food takes another child’s life.

– Kimbal Musk”

Entering for a chance to take home Kimbal’s VIN#006 Model 3 starts at $10, which translates to 100 entries for the fully-loaded electric car. Larger contributions will help Kimbal’s non-profit provide seeds, plants, and supplies for school gardens, as well as aid in building kitchen kits to help teachers prepare fresh produce in the classroom.

Learn more about Kimbal’s Big Green initiative and how you can win his Model 3 at Omaze, ending April 24, 2018.

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Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Tesla Cybertruck takes a bump from epic failing Dodge Charger

The Cybertruck seemed unharmed by the charging Charger.

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Credit: Hammer_of_something/Reddit

There comes a time in a driver’s life when one is faced with one’s limitations. For the driver of a Dodge Charger, this time came when he lost control and crashed into a Tesla Cybertruck–an absolute epic fail. 

A video of the rather unfortunate incident was shared on the r/TeslaLounge subreddit.

Charging Charger Fails

As could be seen in the video, which was posted on the subreddit by Model Y owner u/Hammer_of_something, a group of teens in a Dodge Charger decided to do some burnouts at a Tesla Supercharger. Unfortunately, the driver of the Charger failed in his burnout or donut attempt, resulting in the mopar sedan going over a curb and bumping a charging Cybertruck.

Ironically, the Dodge Charger seemed to have been parked at a Supercharger stall before its driver decided to perform the failed stunt. This suggests that the vehicle was likely ICE-ing a charging stall before it had its epic fail moment. Amusingly enough, the subreddit member noted that the Cybertruck did not seem like it took any damage at all despite its bump. The Charger, however, seemed like it ran into some trouble after crashing into the truck.

Alleged Aftermath

As per the the r/TeslaLounge subreddit member, the Cybertruck owner came rushing out to his vehicle after the Dodge Charger crashed into it. The Model Y owner then sent over the full video of the incident, which clearly showed the Charger attempting a burnout, failing, and bumping into the Cybertruck. The Cybertruck owner likely appreciated the video, in part because it showed the driver of the Dodge Charger absolutely freaking out after the incident.

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The Cybertruck is not an impregnable vehicle, but it can take bumps pretty well thanks to its thick stainless steel body. Based on this video, it appears that the Cybertruck can even take bumps from a charging Charger, all while chilling and charging at a Supercharger. As for the teens in the Dodge, they likely had to provide a long explanation to authorities after the incident, since the cops were called to the location.

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Anti-Elon Musk group crushes Tesla Model 3 with Sherman tank–with unexpected results

Ironically enough, the group’s video ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

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Credit: Led By Donkeys/X

Anti-Elon Musk protesters and critics tend to show their disdain for the CEO in various ways, but a recent video from political action group Led By Donkeys definitely takes the cake when it comes to creativity.

Ironially enough, the group’s video also ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

Tank vs. Tesla

In its video, Led By Donkeys featured Ken Turner, a 98-year-old veteran who served in the British army during World War II. The veteran stated that Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is “using his immense power to support the far-right in Europe, and his money comes from Tesla cars.” 

He also noted that he had a message for the Tesla CEO: “We’ve crushed fascism before and we’ll crush it again.” To emphasize his point, the veteran proceeded to drive a Sherman tank over a blue Tesla Model 3 sedan, which, of course, had a plate that read “Fascism.” 

The heavy tank crushed the Model 3’s glass roof and windows, much to the delight of Led By Donkeys’ commenters on its official YouTube channel. But at the end of it all, the aftermath of the anti-Elon Musk demonstration ended up showcasing something positive for the electric vehicle maker.

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Tesla Model 3 Tanks the Tank?

As could be seen from the wreckage of the Tesla Model 3 after its Sherman encounter, only the glass roof and windows of the all-electric sedan were crushed. Looking at the wreckage of the Model 3, it seemed like its doors could still be opened, and everything on its lower section looked intact.

Considering that a standard M4 Sherman weighs about 66,800 to 84,000 pounds, the Model 3 actually weathered the tank’s assault really well. Granted, the vehicle’s suspension height before the political action group’s demonstration suggests that the Model 3’s high voltage battery had been removed beforehand. But even if it hadn’t been taken off, it seemed like the vehicle’s battery would have survived the heavy ordeal without much incident.

This was highlighted in comments from users on social media platform X, many of whom noted that a person in the Model 3 could very well have survived the ordeal with the Sherman. And that, ultimately, just speaks to the safety of Tesla’s vehicles. There is a reason why Teslas consistently rank among the safest cars on the road, after all.

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Tesla Model 3 driver is using FSD to travel to Mt. Everest Base Camp

The ambitious, nearly 4,000-kilometer (2,485-mile) Tesla FSD journey is being livestreamed on Chinese social media.

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Credit: Douyin 老高懂电车

Count on Tesla drivers in China to push Full Self Driving (FSD) as far as it could go. As could be seen in videos posted on Chinese social media, a brave Model 3 owner is currently going on an epic journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest on FSD.

Recent posts from the Model 3 driver suggest that the ambitious destination may be within reach.

Epic FSD Journey

As noted by Tesla owner-enthusiast Aaron Li, the journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest spans almost 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles). The journey itself is epic, with stunning vistas and roads that require some drivers to bring oxygen canisters with them. The fact that it is being done using FSD makes it extra impressive. 

Based on the videos that have been recently shared, the Model 3 running FSD seems to be nearing the Everest Base Camp. There seems to be a good chance that the Tesla Model 3 may reach its destination this Friday.

Previous Everest Trips

This is not the first time that a Tesla has driven to Mt. Everest’s base camp.  That would be a Model 3 that was driven in September 2020. That vehicle, which went on a long 5,500 km (3,400-mile) journey, was manually driven to its destination. 

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In April 2021, Tesla China announced that it has completed the buildout of 11 Supercharger stations in the picturesque route from Chengdu to Tingri. This route would allow drivers to reach the base camp of Mt. Everest. Sure enough, in July 2022, Tesla China shared a video of two Teslas—a Model X and Model Y—reaching the Everest base camp without any issues. Numerous other Tesla drivers have since taken on the long, picturesque journey.

Check out this Tesla Model Y’s journey to the Mt. Everest base camp in the video below.

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