Dobson's New Model 3 & Battery Fund

In 2015, we ordered an Uber ride that blossomed into a friendship with one of the most genuine and intelligent individuals we’ve ever encountered. Our family’s connection with Dobson was immediate and from that point forward, every ride involved Dobson and his Toyota Camry.

It didn’t take long before we noticed Dobson was a workhorse. Tallying over 300 miles each day, while driving 6 days a week. As gas prices soared in the coming years, we suggested him looking into a Tesla. After all, charging was significantly cheaper and he would save thousands in fuel and maintenance costs.

In 2022, and after driving over 120,000 miles per year for 7 consecutive years, he finally purchased a lightly used Model 3 standard range plus, the most pricy car purchase in his life. He LOVED his Tesla and we documented several videos with him gushing about the driving experience, the immediate savings, and the positive response he was getting from customers.

Just weeks ago, Dobson called me to let us know his Tesla story had an abrupt and catastrophic ending. His high voltage battery seemed to have completely shut down shortly after crossing 120,000 miles on the odometer. Left with a $40,000+ car note, which equals to over a $900 a month payment and car that no longer had a driving range more than 35 miles Dobson was forced to return to his old Camry for his daily driving needs.

The total cost to replace his high voltage battery was north of $9,000. After managing to borrow additional funds to replace his battery, Tesla advised him not to charge past 80%, and the vehicle now only charges to roughly 180 miles at said percentage. Not nearly enough for his daily driving needs. Needless to say, we felt terrible that he found himself in this predicament, but Dobson, being the class act that he is, has no hard feelings and has resumed to putting his old Camry back into the grind.

Dobson has provided so much insight/ data to the EV and Tesla community and thousands of you have told us how much value you find in his story. We would love to continue following his Tesla journey and providing the valuable data you all appreciate, but we can’t do it without your help.

Today his Tesla sits in his driveway and is only used sparingly for various business clients.

Let’s help support Dobson and allow him to pay off his battery replacement cost and possibly help him get into a new long range Tesla that fulfills his daily needs.

He doesn’t know we’re doing this, but there’s no one that deserves this more than him!