Tesla’s Cybertruck has lost its lead in the U.S. electric pickup segment, with Ford’s F-150 Lightning reclaiming the top spot in the first quarter of 2025, according to newly released registration data from S&P Global Mobility.
Ford registered 7,913 units of the Lightning from January through March, surpassing the 7,126 Cybertruck registrations in the same period. The Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV followed, while Rivian’s R1T and GMC Hummer EV rounded out the list.
While Tesla does not disclose model-specific sales, registration data remains the clearest measure of how its vehicles stack up against competitors. The Cybertruck had emerged as the best-selling electric pickup in the final quarter of 2024, but its momentum appears to have slowed in early 2025. The stainless steel-clad vehicle has now posted two consecutive quarters of declining sales, down from 16,692 in Q3 2024 to 12,991 in Q4, and further to 6,404 in Q1 2025, according to Cox Automotive.
Ford, meanwhile, reported 7,187 F-150 Lightning sales for the first quarter, close to the S&P Global registration figure. The company’s electric truck originally launched in 2022 and has steadily maintained a presence in the segment, despite modest volumes.
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“This is not a moment for celebration,” an industry analyst noted. “Even the top-selling electric pickup struggled to cross 8,000 units in a quarter—a far cry from what automakers had hoped for this category.”
High development costs and logistical challenges continue to weigh on the electric truck market. Ford CEO Jim Farley acknowledged the economic hurdles during the company’s Q4 2024 earnings call, stating that for large electric trucks and SUVs, “the economics are unresolvable.” He cited the need for large batteries to meet range demands, which in turn lead to increased weight, cost, and compromised aerodynamics.
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Other manufacturers are also facing setbacks. Stellantis has delayed the launch of its all-electric Ram 1500 REV and the Ramcharger range-extender for a second time, while Rivian’s deliveries dropped year-over-year and sequentially in the first quarter.
The weak performance of electric pickups contrasts with the broader electric vehicle market, which saw a year-over-year sales increase of 11.4% in Q1, suggesting sustained consumer interest in EVs, albeit not in the full-size truck segment.