The Cybertruck era is over, but America’s electric truck experiment isn’t

Tesla plans to end Cybertruck production next year, after sales fell far short of Elon Musk’s target, and shift capacity towards its planned Cybercabs. The move adds to setbacks for electric pickups, which automakers hoped would appeal to traditional truck buyers but have struggled with high prices and concerns about charging and towing.

Musk had forecast annual Cybertruck sales of 250,000, but Tesla sold just over 20,000 last year; its 2026 starting price has risen to $92,500. Ford is also ending production of its loss-making F-150 Lightning, while sales of electric pickups from Rivian and GMC have declined. A cheaper Ford electric pickup, the Fathom, is due next year with a starting price of $28,400, and used Lightning models are reportedly selling strongly at steep discounts.