Would you have Purchased the CT if, "it looked more like a normal truck?"

[HaulingAss]

The industry has figured this out, and the smaller EV trucks are finally coming. Slate, Telo, Ford, and Kia are all working on small EV pickups. Could see some initial deliveries by the end of the year.

I'm confident the full-sized Cybertruck will consistently outsell every EV pickup in the U.S. market that is capable of selling with positive net margins. Even in the ICE world, full-sized pickups massively out-sell any mid-sized or compact pickups.

The forthcoming Scout Terra EV pickup will be 229.2 inches long. This is full-sized, actually longer than a Cybertruck (223.74 inches) and close to an F-150 Lightning (231.7 inches).

Scout has some balls to call a vehicle with a gas tank, gas engine and an exhaust pipe and emissions controls an "electric vehicle. To my way of thinking, an "EV" has none of those things.

The smallest EV pickup on the US market right now is the Rivian R1T at 217.1 inches. It isn't priced like a small truck though (starts at $79,990).

In my book, the R1T's bed is so small (especially in length and depth), it's hard for me to even think of it as a pickup truck. One of my friends had a Toyota long-bed truck in the '80's (before the 4Runner was offered) and it was a real truck that actually functioned like a truck (although a bit smaller than a full-sized truck). The R1T has taken small beds so far that it doesn't really function like a truck for most purposes.

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[YDR37]

I think the sales numbers above disprove your theory that a lack of range is the limiting factor to EV truck sales.

That's actually not my theory. I'm not saying that "a lack of range is the limiting factor to EV truck sales".

Instead, I'm saying: "the manufacturers think that a lack of range is the limiting factor to EV truck sales." That's why the next generation of full-sized EV trucks (from Ram, Scout, and Ford) will include EREVs with ICE generators to extend range. And even Tesla looked hard at offering a supplemental batteriy to extend Cybertruck range.

Could the manufacturers be wrong? Sure. Tesla ultimately decided that a supplemental battery wasn't the right idea. Maybe EREVs aren't the answer either. We should find out soon..

The actual sales numbers show that people get it. The Silverado offers trims with different battery sizes, even though the launch model had the largest "Max Pack" capable of nearly 500 miles, the smaller battery in the "Extended Range" outsells it. That proves that price is a bigger limiting factor than range.

It should go without saying that price is always a limiting factor -- for any feature.

In this case, the least expensive Chevy Silverado EV trims with the "Max Range" option starts at $89,195 MSRP. It costs about 25% more than the least expensive "Extended Range' option (at $71,695), yet only offers 68 more miles of estimated range. Chevy customers may still believe that more range is better, just not at that price.

 

[michaelahess]

I bought it because I think it looks awesome! Kid of the '80s big time into Sci-Fi, what do you expect?

That said, this should have 100% been developed next to a standard truck layout, launch both at the same time, holy crap that would have printed money...stupid oversight to not do that.

 

[Jerry33]

It isn't built the same as any other truck. Why should it copy other trucks' looks?

 

[YDR37]

I'm confident the full-sized Cybertruck will consistently outsell every EV pickup in the U.S. market that is capable of selling with positive net margins. Even in the ICE world, full-sized pickups massively out-sell any mid-sized or compact pickups.

But at least in the US, the ICE world isn't the same as the EV world.

In the ICE world, for example, full-sized pickups (like the F-150 or Silverado) also outsell mid-sized SUVs (like the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V). Yet in the EV world, the complete opposite is true. Mid-sized SUVs (like the Tesla Model Y, Toyota bZ, or Ford Mach-e) massively outsell full-sized pickups (like the Cybertruck or Ford Lightning).

Here in California, EVs are particularly popular -- in 2025, 28.5% of all US EV registrations were in California. And smaller pickups are particularly popular -- in 2025, the best-selling pickup in California was the Toyota Tacoma, not the F-150 or Silverado. So if there was a vehicle on the market that combined these two features -- EV and mid-sized pickup -- that are popular in California, would it sell here? I think so.

 

[YDR37]

Scout has some balls to call a vehicle with a gas tank, gas engine and an exhaust pipe and emissions controls an "electric vehicle. To my way of thinking, an "EV" has none of those things.

The term "EREV" means "Extended Range Electric Vehicle". So by definition, an "EREV" is a kind of "EV". You may not agree with that definition, but Scout isn't responsible for coining it.

Scout plans to offer both "pure" BEVs and EREVs. So some Scouts actually will be "real" EVs by your definition, but others will not. They are focusing on EREV production initially because reservations are overwhelmingly for the EREV versions.

The BEV and EREV versions should be very similar when it comes to appearance, driving, and capabilities, and will be manufactured on the same assembly lines. Like it or not, it won't be suprising if people conflate the two.

 

[YDR37]

In my book, the R1T's bed is so small (especially in length and depth), it's hard for me to even think of it as a pickup truck ... The R1T has taken small beds so far that it doesn't really function like a truck for most purposes.

It's a pickup truck, but I agree that the small bed size compromises its functionality. I think one of the reasons that the R1T doesn't sell well is that the Rivian R1S is an obvious alternative, and the R1S makes more sense as an SUV than the R1T does as a pickup. The R1S sells much better.

 

[Kenneth K.]

i don't want or need a truck but a Stainless Steel armored Tesla i cannot resist and i don't care what size or shape it is

 

[flyinglow]

Your poll questions don't address the question in your post headline.

I am one who might have purchased the CT if it looked more like a regular pickup. Not because I object to its looks, but because there are features of other, more normal appearing, electric pickups I prefer such as a bigger frunk, an interior that doesn't look like a padded jail cell, a folding midgate, real door handles, better range when towing and color paint options that don't cost 5 grand but only last 5 years.

The CT is something of a technological marvel that was hampered by Elon's belief that he knows what everyone else wants/should have. They obviously didn't do any focus groups and ended up with a niche product.

 

[HaulingAss]

That's actually not my theory. I'm not saying that "a lack of range is the limiting factor to EV truck sales".

Instead, I'm saying: "the manufacturers think that a lack of range is the limiting factor to EV truck sales."

You said both, neither of which make sense (considering that the manufacturers have access to the same data that shows consumers buy a lot more trucks with under 400 miles of range than they do trucks with over 400 miles of range).

When you say,

So why don't existing EV trucks sell? The manufacturers seem to think that the problem is: range. Ram, Ford, and Scout are all developing full-sized "Extended Range Electric Vehicle" (EREV) trucks with ICEs that act as generators to charge the battery. In effect, the ICEs will act as "range extenders".

and:

The interest in "range extenders" clearly implies that today's full-sized EV trucks -- regardless of appearance -- have a range problem. You may be perfectly satisfied with your Cybertruck's range, and that's great, but the market may not see it that way.

I would say the problem is not range, it's the high cost and lack of convenient DCFC that are reliable and quick. Tesla is solving both without resorting to adding gas tanks, gas engines and exhaust pipes. The first they are solving with 4680 cells, as they refine production and ramp to high volume, the second by building out the best DCFC network with true gen. 4 Superchargers. Trucks with gas engines AND big batteries and high cost don't stand a chance.

 

[HaulingAss]

The CT is something of a technological marvel that was hampered by Elon's belief that he knows what everyone else wants/should have. They obviously didn't do any focus groups and ended up with a niche product.

Considering that the Cybertruck outsells every other electric pickup on the market, is this your admission that Ford, GM and Rivian failed even harder than Elon?

 

[YDR37]

You said both, neither of which make sense (considering that the manufacturers have access to the same data that shows consumers buy a lot more trucks with under 400 miles of range than they do trucks with over 400 miles of range) ...

Tesla famously does not do market research. However, most other companies do. And if Ram, Ford, and Scout are all betting on EREV full-sized pickups, I think they probably have data that shows customer interest in EREV full-sized pickups.

We know for sure that Scout does:

Roughly 85% of the company’s reservations to date are for extended-range variants of the rugged Terra pickup and Traveler SUV, Scout CEO Scott Keogh told InsideEVs in an interview. The other 15% are for pure-electric versions. ...

Keogh said the interest in EREVs blew away his expectations.

“We felt very good about it,” he said. “Did I think it was 85/15? No. I thought it might be more 60/40, let’s put it that way.”

So we know that Scout is seeing unexpected interest in EREVs. We also know that Ford discontinued the Lightning -- which is still the best-selling EV pickup of all time, at least for now -- and then began development of an EREV Lightning pickup instead. And we know that Ram discontinued its full-sized BEV pickup before it even reached production, and then began development of an EREV pickup instead.

These are suggestive points. However, I'll readily acknowledge that market research is not infallible -- and it goes without saying that price is always a factor. So there is no guarantee that the bets on EREVs will pay off.

 

[flyinglow]

Considering that the Cybertruck outsells every other electric pickup on the market, is this your admission that Ford, GM and Rivian failed even harder than Elon?

Actually, Rivian R1T outsold the Cybertruck YTD 2026 and that is before taking into account how many CTs Musk padded the numbers with by having SpaceX buy thousands of them.

In any case, my point was that the survey didn't actually address the question in the post heading, so the survey isn't informative about that. The question was whether a more conventional looking truck with the technology of the Cybertruck would be more successful.

A big problem with the Cybertruck is that its format prevents/limits offering variations. Let's face it, American truck buyers have and enjoy lots of choices in capabilities, features and prices. Choice is kind of an American thing. The CT is limited in that regard by its design.

I am not dissing the CT, simply pointing out that Elon's vision isn't everyone's.

 

[Eka]

Reasons I got the CT: FSD, stainless steel exterior, FSD, EV, FSD, designed from the start as a proper off road vehicle, and FSD sales were going to end. Notice a pattern. I wish it had greater range. I like to go into the wilderness, and EV charging is still often not near by.

Thanks for getting the joke. My neighbor used to have duallies and stacks to drive to the grocery store. I use to call him a DFT (Dumb f..k in a truck). Many friends ,that work on farms and tow horses, they actually need the duallies.

A friend calls duallies training wheels...

Most farmers I know just replaced the tires with the heaviest weight class tires available and used singles. Even on their 3500HD tow rigs. Having duallies is a PITA. Especially because they stick out so much.

For me the only issue is parking. It has "parked" in some interesting places. We started using the "pull over" option and just manually select a spot then use auto park.

The one exception is at Superchargers. It nails that parking every time.

So far my CT has been 0/4 for parking far enough in at a V3 or V2 Supercharger to connect the charge cable. Otherwise side to side it was fine.

 

[HaulingAss]

Actually, Rivian R1T outsold the Cybertruck YTD 2026 and that is before taking into account how many CTs Musk padded the numbers with by having SpaceX buy thousands of them.

Cox Automotive has the Cybertruck already leading the R1T in 2026 and it's pretty clear it's rocketing ahead for the rest of the year. That makes the Cybertruck the best-selling EV truck even if you cherry-pick periods. The bulk of the fleet sales happened in 2025.

A big problem with the Cybertruck is that its format prevents/limits offering variations. Let's face it, American truck buyers have and enjoy lots of choices in capabilities, features and prices. Choice is kind of an American thing. The CT is limited in that regard by its design.

I am not dissing the CT, simply pointing out that Elon's vision isn't everyone's.

No vehicle is everyone's vision, demand is measured by sales numbers. This leaves your perspective confounding considering that the Cybertruck is the best-selling EV pickup while the lower demand competition doesn't have these "choice" limitations you seem to think are important.

The bottom line is it outsells all the rest. Pretty hard to blame it's polarizing design or "choice" limitations for impacting sales when it does better than the trucks that don't have a polarizing design or choice limitations!

You can claim whatever you want but, if it doesn't make sense, sensible people will not simply take your word for it, they will see right through it for what it is, non-sensical negative propaganda.

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