The competition in the electric pickup truck market is heating up, with the Ford F-150 Lightning overtaking the Tesla Cybertruck in U.S. registrations for both March and the first quarter of 2025.
According to recent data from S&P Global Mobility, Ford registered 2,598 F-150 Lightnings in March, compared to 2,170 Cybertrucks for Tesla. (via Automotive News) This marks a shift in momentum within the electric pickup segment, with Ford reclaiming the top spot after months of Cybertruck holding on to the best-selling title.
The trend is not limited to a single month. Adding up the sales for the first quarter of 2025, 7,913 Ford F-150 Lightnings were registered across the United States, compared to 7,126 Cybertrucks, a 787-unit advantage.
One of the key reasons for the Cybertruck’s struggle is its departure from early promises. When unveiled in 2019, Tesla announced a starting price of US$39,900 for the base model with over 250 miles (402 km) of range. However, the current entry-level rear-wheel drive Cybertruck now starts at $69,990 USD, delivering approximately 350 miles (563 km) of range.
While it has exceeded the initial range estimate, the price increase of over $30,000 has undoubtedly turned some customers away. Then there is also CEO Elon Musk’s recent move into politics, which has also caused backlash, and specifically for the Cybertruck and its owners.
Ford’s strategy with the F-150 Lightning has been markedly different. Instead of reinventing the pickup segment, Ford focused on electrifying a proven best-seller. The result is a truck that feels familiar to loyal F-150 owners while still offering the benefits of electric power, such as instant torque and lower running costs.
