Elon Musk responded to Apple Car rumors by revealing that the plans for a monocell battery are strange to use and impossible because of overheating problems. He also casted doubts on the use of LFP chemicals to answer the issue. Musk also revealed that Apple rejected Tesla's offer of company acquisition during the Model 3's "dark days," with one-tenth of their total worth today.
The CEO of one of the most popular electric vehicle manufacturer, Tesla's Elon Musk, has spoken out regarding the massive buzz and rumors of the new Apple Car, which is slated to release by 2025. The rumors were talking about Apple taking notes from Tesla's September 2020 Battery Day, with the hopes of hiring and completing the vehicle in four years.
Apple Car Leaks: Battery to Use Monocell Technology
According to Brett Winton's Twitter leaks (@wintonARK), Apple has used Tesla's Battery Day 2020 as the chance to hire people and begin production by 2025. Moreover, the leaks have revealed a new "monocell" battery technology that the Cupertino giant will use to give the electric vehicle more range than regular ones.
Apple still reputedly planning to build an iCar.
— Brett Winton (@wintonARK) December 21, 2020
The apparent secret sauce:
They watched the livestream of Tesla’s battery day;
They also took notes;
Then those notes were exclusively leaked to Reuters.
So they could hire, hoping to begin production by
[checks notes]
2025. pic.twitter.com/VQubNAl5Ds
Initially, there were leaks that the car may see a September 2021 release, but it was later corrected to be three or four years later. Moreover, the leaks talked about the Apple Car to use LFP or lithium iron phosphate, which are less likely to overheat compared to Li-on or lithium-ion cells, which are widely used in the industry.
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Elon Musk: Strange if Apple Uses Monocell Because of Low Max Voltage
The famed Twitter user and Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, noticed the rumors and replied, revealing his take and opinion regarding the Apple Car's production. Here, the CEO said that the use of "monocell" is strange because it is "electrochemically impossible" due to low voltage.
Strange, if true.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 22, 2020
- Tesla already uses iron-phosphate for medium range cars made in our Shanghai factory.
- A monocell is electrochemically impossible, as max voltage is ~100X too low. Maybe they meant cells bonded together, like our structural battery pack?
Moreover, the CEO revealed that medium range cars are already using the LFP, or lithium iron phosphate, chemical mix for its battery cells in its Shanghai factory. Musk was also asking if monocell means the same as Tesla's structural battery pack that bonds cells together for more range.
Elon Musk: Model 3 'Dark Days' Tried to Sell Tesla to Apple
Additionally, the Tesla CEO has revealed that before the clean energy company's emergence and rise to fame over the past years, it initially planned to sell the company to the Cupertino giant. However, Apple CEO Tim Cook rejected the offer despite having a low bargain which is one-tenth of Tesla's current worth.
During the darkest days of the Model 3 program, I reached out to Tim Cook to discuss the possibility of Apple acquiring Tesla (for 1/10 of our current value). He refused to take the meeting.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 22, 2020
The Apple Tesla acquisition was during the early "dark days" of the Model 3, where the company was having problems in the design, creation, and conceptualization of the frontline sedan. However, Tesla's Model 3 became a massive hit to people as it initially debuted in early July 2017.
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This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Isaiah Alonzo
