During the conference call, Philippe Jean Houchois of Jefferies International Ltd. inquired whether a surge of energy in slowing down or braking the truck would be too much for a battery to absorb, and whether Tesla was considering using a super capacitor.
Musk responded that “lithium-ion chemistry is so good at this point that capacitors will not be needed.”
Jeffrey B. Straubel, Tesla’s chief technical officer, chimed in that “the power to energy demand on the battery in the heavy truck is actually generally less than in our performance vehicles.”
Musk also said a self-driving Tesla car will attempt a trip to New York from Los Angeles within the next six months. Previously, he said Tesla would complete that test trip in 2017.
Musk reiterated his belief that Lidar is not required to autonomous driving. Lidar, the technology used by numerous firm involved in autonomous driving, is short for light detection and ranging.
Instead, Tesla will rely on cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors.
“Now perhaps I am wrong,” Musk said. “In which case, I'll look like a fool. But I am quite certain that I am not.”