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Tesla community comes together for a special, once-in-a-lifetime ‘bucket list’ wish

(Photo: rubenjasonpenders/YouTube)

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It takes a special type of person to stare at adversity and see a bright future ahead. It also takes a special group of dedicated people to show that amidst all the conflicts and ugliness in the world, there is still a space for human kindness. This was recently demonstrated by the Tesla community in the Netherlands, when they came together to grant a special “bucket list” wish for an extraordinary guest.

Rob (last name not given), who resides in the city of Utrecht, Netherlands, heard the words that nobody ever wants to hear last December. Late in the month, Rob got news that he only had a couple of months left to live. One of his friends, Tesla enthusiast Ruben Jason Penders, had been asking him about a “bucket list” wish that he could help him with. Rob initially declined, but with enough prodding, he stated that he wanted to experience “this electric Tesla car.”

In a video about Rob’s tale that was later shared on YouTube, Ruben noted that his friend was aware he would not experience the electric car era himself. Nevertheless, Rob still wanted to “experience the future my kids and grandkids will live in.” On the final day of 2018, Ruben got to work, posting on the Tesla Motors Club forum and asking if any Tesla owners are willing to give his friend a short ride in their vehicle. In his post, Ruben even mentioned that a 10-15 minute ride in a Tesla would suffice.

The Tesla community decided to go above and beyond. Within a few hours, several owners had volunteered to give some of their time to grant Rob’s “bucket list” wish. Not long after that, a little get-together was organized, with several owners pledging to travel to the city of Utrecht to give Rob the full Tesla experience.

As could be seen in a video of the special get-together, Rob and his family were picked up by three electric cars from his home (two Teslas and a Jaguar I-PACE). This was but the start of Rob’s surprise, though, as he was soon welcomed by 20 more Teslas and their beaming owners. Rob was able to experience the whole Tesla ecosystem, from using the Supercharger Network to using Autopilot on the highway. At one point in the video, Rob showed what could only be described as a classic Tesla grin as he experienced firsthand what appeared to be a Model S P100D Ludicrous Mode launch. In yet another gesture from the Tesla community, Rob was able to drive a Model S as well.

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Despite its noble mission, Tesla remains a polarizing company, especially in the United States. The company, particularly its CEO, Elon Musk, receive a notable amount of vitriol on an almost daily basis from critics, some of whom stand to receive monetary gains if Tesla were to fall. In social media platforms like Twitter alone, the clashes between the TSLA community, who supports the company, and the TSLAQ group, who are clamoring for the electric car maker to fall, happen daily. Yet, despite the noise from the company’s skeptics, there are tales like Rob’s, which could only be described as initiatives that are accomplished through the kindness of the human heart. 

This is not the first time that the Tesla community has done something like this, either.  Last year, Dr. Matthew Chan, a Tesla enthusiast diagnosed with cancer, was given the full VIP treatment after the community got together to arrange a meetup with Chief Designer Franz Von Holzhausen. During Dr. Chan’s tour, he was able to chat with the Tesla designer extensively, and his visit was even capped off by a meet-and-greet with Elon Musk himself. Not long before that, a story also emerged that involved the company bumping a terminally-ill man up the Model 3 reservation list, so that he could experience and enjoy the vehicle while he was still able.

Watch the Tesla community grant Rob’s “bucket list” wish in the video below.

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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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Elon Musk

X account with 184 followers inadvertently saves US space program amid Musk-Trump row

Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.

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Joel Kowsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

An X user with 184 followers has become the unlikely hero of the United States’ space program by effectively de-escalating a row between SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump on social media.

Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.

A Near Fall

During Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s fallout last week, the U.S. President stated in a post on Truth Social that a good way for the United States government to save money would be to terminate subsidies and contracts from the CEO’s companies. Musk responded to Trump’s post by stating that SpaceX will start decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately. 

Musk’s comment was received with shock among the space community, partly because the U.S. space program is currently reliant on SpaceX to send supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Without Dragon, the United States will likely have to utilize Russia’s Soyuz for the same services—at a significantly higher price.

X User to the Rescue

It was evident among X users that Musk’s comments about Dragon being decommissioned were posted while emotions were high. It was then no surprise that an X account with 184 followers, @Fab25june, commented on Musk’s post, urging the CEO to rethink his decision. “This is a shame this back and forth. You are both better than this. Cool off and take a step back for a couple days,” the X user wrote in a reply.

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Much to the social media platform’s surprise, Musk responded to the user. Even more surprising, the CEO stated that SpaceX would not be decommissioning Dragon after all. “Good advice. Ok, we won’t decommission Dragon,” Musk wrote in a post on X.

Not Planned, But Welcomed

The X user’s comment and Musk’s response were received extremely well by social media users, many of whom noted that @Fab25june’s X comment effectively saved the U.S. space program. In a follow-up comment, the X user, who has over 9,100 followers as of writing, stated that he did not really plan on being a mediator between Musk and Trump. 

“Elon Musk replied to me. Somehow, I became the accidental peace broker between two billionaires. I didn’t plan this. I was just being me. Two great minds can do wonders. Sometimes, all it takes is a breather. Grateful for every like, DM, and new follow. Life’s weird. The internet’s weirder. Let’s ride. (Manifesting peace… and maybe a Model Y.)” the X user wrote.

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Lifestyle

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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Lifestyle

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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