Once dominating headlines and predicted to transform the pickup truck market, Tesla’s boldest bet—the angular, stainless steel Cybertruck. But the narrative has turned dramatically as 2025 plays out. From startling devaluation to a drop in sales, the Cybertruck’s star power is fading. Also, the throne of electric trucks? Currently, it belongs to the Ford F-150 Lightning.
Tesla Now Accepting Cybertruck Trade-Ins—But the Numbers Are Grim
Tesla has started taking Cybertruck trade-ins at last following more than a year of uncertainty. Although that might seem to indicate development, it is more of a red indicator. Owners publishing on the Cybertruck Owners Club are exposing just how steep the vehicle’s devaluation has gotten.
Consider a 2024 AWD Foundation Series Cybertruck originally costing $100,000. After only 6,000 miles of use, Tesla today provides only $65,400 in trade-in value. That’s a 34.6% drop in a single year, much over the standard 20% first-year depreciation usual of most pickups.
Dealers of used cars have also been similarly hesitant to handle Cybertruks. Until previously, dealers worried about being saddled with an unsellable steel behemoth without trade-in support from Tesla. Listings on sites like CarGurus indicate real resale values approaching 45%, implying Tesla’s own trade-in quotes could be sugarcoated.
As Ford’s F-150 Lightning Surges Ahead, Cybertruck Sales Decline
Complicating matters further, the Cybertruck is no longer the top-selling electric pickup vehicle in America. Based on InsideEVs and SP Global Mobility data, the Ford F-150 Lightning exceeded the Cybertruck in the first quarter of 2025 new U.S. registrations by almost 800 units.
That marks the second straight quarter of falling Cybertruck sales. Although Tesla originally claimed over a million bookings, only a small portion of those ever made actual purchases. Demand was great at launch, but real-world interest has slowed despite incentives and discounts.
There is now a mound of inventory. Months of unsold Foundation Series Cybertrucks have been sitting there; Tesla has even taken off their “exclusive” stickers to indicate them as regular units.
Why the Decline Matters Beyond Sales Figures
Originally presented as a symbol of the electric future, the Cybertruck was not only meant to be a pickup. Aiming to be a lifestyle vehicle for tech-forward drivers, it included onboard power outlets, device charging, and interaction with Tesla’s larger clean energy network.
The problems, though, transcend market saturation. Recalls, layoffs, and public relations mistakes have all damaged Tesla. Two million or more vehicles in 2023 will have a major Autopilot recall. Most Cybertrucks were recalled once more in March 2025—this time for external panel problems. Recent worker reductions (around 10%) have also undermined faith in the company’s direction.
Customer loyalty may decline in part due to Elon Musk’s progressively divisive image. These elements taken together create a perfect storm weakening Tesla’s flagship EV truck.
The EV market is still growing, but not for Cybertruck
Though the Cybertruck’s cooling velocity is noteworthy, the EV market is still growing. The International Energy Agency forecasts global electric car sales in 2025 to exceed 20 million units. With one in every ten newly built cars now electric, EV sales in the United States climbed 10% in 2024.
Faster than ever, automakers like Ford, BYD, and others are innovating. New models present more competitive pricing, drive longer, and charge faster. A larger audience is finding electric trucks more enticing with rising battery efficiency and government incentives.
The Bottom Line
Tesla’s choice to at last accept Cybertruck trade-ins is less about consumer convenience and more about control of consequences. The Cybertruck hype train is losing steam between terrible depreciation, declining sales, and more aggressive Ford and other competitors.
Although it is still a fantastic work of automotive engineering, its practical performance—on the road and in the market—has fallen short of early promise. The change in supremacy from Cybertruck to the F-150 Lightning might not be a blip. In America’s electric pickup race, it might be the new normal.
For more information about the Tesla Cybertruck, visit their official website.
👉 Please 📩SUBSCRIBE to us for more real-world EV analysis, news, and deep dives — written for EV fans by EV fans.
Hey, I’m Badal! I’m super passionate about cars—especially electric ones. Whether it’s EVs, electric trucks, bikes, or anything with a battery and wheels, I’m all in. I love writing blogs that break things down for fellow enthusiasts and curious readers alike. Hope you enjoy the ride as much as I do!
