Elon Musk criticises Apple during Tesla earnings call

Elon Musk denied that Tesla uses a large amount of cobalt in the production of lithium-ion cells, which are used in electric vehicles. (Illustration: Moneycontrol)

Billionaire Elon Musk, on July 26, criticised technology giant Apple in remarks made during a conference call about Tesla's second quarter results.

Musk denied that Tesla uses a large amount of cobalt in the production of lithium-ion cells, which are used in electric vehicles.

"Apple uses I think almost 100 percent cobalt in their batteries and cell phones and laptops, but Tesla uses no cobalt in the iron-phosphate packs, and almost none in the nickel-based chemistries," Musk said, as quoted by CNBC.

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"On a weighted-average basis we might use 2 percent cobalt compared to say, Apple's 100 percent cobalt. Anyway, so it's just really not a factor."

Apple, Tesla and major technology companies were in 2019 named as defendants in a human rights lawsuit linked to children who died while cobalt mining.

Musk also referred to the iPhone-maker when stating that Tesla does not intend to create a "walled garden" to quash competition.

"I think we do want to emphasize that our goal is to support the advent of sustainable energy," Musk said in response to a question about letting competitors use its charger network.

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"It is not to create a walled garden and use that to bludgeon our competitors which is used by some companies." Musk then faked a cough and said, "Apple", CNBC reported.

Apple has come under legal scrutiny after allegations that it controls what software can be installed on its phones, and is also facing antitrust litigation in the US.