Cox Automotive data shows Ford's F-150 Lightning topped US electric pickup sales in 2025 with 27,307 units, outselling Tesla's Cybertruck (20,237 units) despite Ford's discontinuation of the model. The segment fell 15.6% to 90,019 units overall, hit by the end of federal tax credits, high prices, and quality issues.
The US electric pickup truck market contracted 15.6% in 2025 to 90,019 units, per Cox Automotive, amid the October expiration of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, elevated pricing, range anxiety, and design polarizing traditional buyers. Ford's F-150 Lightning led with 27,307 deliveries—a 18.5% drop from 2024—but still outperformed rivals. Ford ceased production late in the year due to unprofitability and regulatory changes, with president Andrew Frick citing a shift to extended-range EVs with gas generators.
Tesla's Cybertruck managed 20,237 US units, down 48.1% year-over-year and 68% in Q4, far below Elon Musk's 250,000–500,000 annual target. Priced over $80,000 (double initial teases), it faced recalls (accelerator, rust), production at ~10% capacity, and backlash. Globally, sales were ~62,000. Tesla bundled Cybertruck with Model S/X/Semi ('Other Models'), absent from US top 10 despite Model Y (357,528) and Model 3 (192,440) leading overall EVs.
Competitors showed variance: GM advanced with Chevrolet Silverado EV at 11,275 (+51.8%), GMC Sierra EV at 7,996 (from 1,788), and Hummer EV lineup at 15,788 (+12.8%). Rivian's R1T fell 33.1% to 7,416, overshadowed by R1S SUV demand.
Challenges persist with high costs and infrastructure gaps, though Cox Automotive forecasts gradual EV growth via innovation. Tesla confronts intensified rivalry from Ford's truck heritage, GM, Rivian, and global leader BYD (which passed Tesla worldwide), plus CEO Musk's political scrutiny. 2026 will test Tesla's robotaxi and capacity promises.
