Tesla announced that production of its Cybertruck will cease at the Texas Gigafactory next year. The decision comes amid a series of setbacks for the model, including lackluster sales and multiple recalls, and it underscores a growing trend away from oversized electric trucks.
Big‑Battery Trucks Lose Momentum
The Cybertruck relies on a 123‑kilowatt‑hour (kWh) battery pack that weighs roughly 1,600 pounds, accounting for about a quarter of the vehicle’s total mass. A comparable battery size powered Ford’s F‑150 Lightning, a large electric pickup that was discontinued late last year. Ford’s truck batteries ranged from 98 kWh to 131 kWh, and the company also cancelled a three‑row electric SUV in 2024. The near‑simultaneous cancellation of two high‑capacity electric trucks suggests a market correction toward lighter, less battery‑intensive models.
Manufacturers Target Compact, Affordable EVs
Ford is preparing to introduce the Fathom next year, a sub‑$30,000 electric pickup roughly the size of its compact gas‑powered Maverick. While Ford has not disclosed the exact battery capacities for the Fathom, analysts expect them to be considerably smaller than those used in the F‑150 Lightning or the Cybertruck. The automaker also plans to relaunch the Lightning as an extended‑range variant.
Startup Slate is entering the market with a tiny electric pickup that can be converted into an SUV. Its base model is priced below $25,000 and features a modest battery pack. Slate’s preorder numbers have surged, echoing the early hype that surrounded the Cybertruck.
Rivian’s recently launched R2 SUV carries an 88‑kWh battery weighing about 1,200 pounds, making it smaller than the company’s flagship R1S. Rivian has also teased an even slimmer R3 SUV for future release.
Implications for Cost, Safety and Supply Chains
Smaller electric vehicles can be produced at lower cost because they require less battery material, and the battery pack remains the most expensive component of any EV. According to Cox Automotive, the average transaction price for a new electric vehicle now stands at $55,800, a figure that reflects the premium of larger battery packs.
Reduced battery size also eases pressure on a constrained supply chain. For everyday tasks such as grocery trips, commuting, or school runs, drivers of compact models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 manage with batteries roughly half the size of those in the Cybertruck.
Safety benefits accompany the shift toward smaller trucks, as lighter vehicles pose fewer risks to pedestrians and cyclists. While large EVs have not vanished—models such as the Kia EV9 and Rivian R1S remain among the top ten U.S. EV sellers and the F‑150 Lightning enjoys a robust resale market—the majority of the top‑selling new EVs are crossovers, sedans or midsize SUVs with moderate battery capacities.
Policy uncertainty also plays a role. The Trump administration’s termination of federal EV incentives last year led to a sales decline, though geopolitical tensions and rising gasoline prices have revived some consumer interest. With a Democratic‑controlled Congress and the prospect of a 2028 White House election, future incentives remain uncertain but could further stimulate demand for affordable, smaller EVs.
Elon Musk framed the Cybertruck’s cancellation as a strategic move to free up production capacity for “Cybercabs,” which would use a 48‑kWh battery—significantly smaller than the truck’s current pack. The shift signals that both Tesla and other manufacturers are aligning their product pipelines with a market that favors cost‑effective, lighter electric vehicles.
Additional reporting by Aarian Marshall.
Helene Elliott is the Lead Science & Space Reporter at News Raise. She reports on aerospace missions, astrophysics discoveries, quantum research, and environmental technology.
