It's not just the Cybertruck. America's big electric-truck bet fell apart.

In the early 2020s, automakers made grand promises about the potential success of large, electric trucks. However, their predictions did not materialize. Big automakers poured billions of dollars into writing down the value of these largely unsuccessful vehicles, and Tesla is now pulling the plug on the Cybertruck. The story takes a turn as a fresh approach emerges in the form of small, low-cost electric trucks.

From a purely logical standpoint, electric trucks seemed like a plausible solution: swap the exhaust pipes of the most popular vehicles in America — Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, and Ram 1500 — with charging ports while retaining their desirable features. However, this idea did not pan out as expected. Full-size electric trucks failed to capture the market, and sales have plummeted.

According to Cox Automotive data, the six electric pickups they monitor sold only about 32,500 units through September, a 53% decrease from the same period last year.

The downfall of full-size electric trucks has resulted in canceled projects, production reductions, and billions of dollars in related charges. General Motors has incurred nearly $11 billion in write-downs since 2025 as it has slowed down its electric vehicle production. Ford discontinued its electric pickup, recording a $19.5 billion charge, while Ram REV never made it to production but still resulted in $26 billion in write-downs for Stellantis.

The decline of full-size electric trucks signifies the need for automakers to think outside the box. Ford has entered the market with a new, smaller, and cheaper electric truck called the Fathom. The smaller size and simpler construction of the Fathom will result in a starting price under $29,000. Meanwhile, another company, Slate Auto, is taking an even more radical approach by creating a two-seat pickup called the Blank Slate, which is expected to enter production this month and will start at $24,950.

The success of these small electric trucks might hinge on their ability to provide at least 300 miles of range. Seth Goldstein, a senior equity analyst at Morningstar who specializes in the auto industry, believes that if a company can offer a smaller electric truck with at least a 300-mile range, the concept could work. However, producing electric trucks does come with its unique set of challenges, especially when compared to manufacturing SUVs and sedans, which do not require as much power.