Americans Bought 440,000 EVs in Three Months — Meanwhile, Tesla Cybertruck Buzz Cools Off

Tesla’s U.S. sales began climbing again this fall after a prolonged slump, boosted by the looming expiration of federal EV tax credits. Customers rushed to purchase the popular Model 3 and Model Y. But enthusiasm for the new 2025 Tesla Cybertruck has cooled significantly.

According to the latest data from Kelley Blue Book, just 5,385 Cybertrucks were sold in the third quarter — a 63% drop compared to the same period last year, when sales topped 14,000 units. For all of 2025, Tesla has sold just over 16,000 Cybertrucks, far below CEO Elon Musk’s once-ambitious target of 250,000 units per year. Analysts now expect total annual sales to remain under 20,000, down sharply from earlier forecasts of around 50,000.

Tesla doesn’t release separate sales figures for the Cybertruck, instead grouping it with the aging Model S and Model X under the “Other Models” category. Meanwhile, the broader U.S. EV market is showing robust growth: nearly 440,000 electric vehicles were sold in the third quarter, up 40% year-over-year. The surge is largely attributed to buyers hurrying to claim the federal tax credit before its expiration at the end of September. Experts, however, predict a steep drop in demand during the fourth quarter — a downturn that could hit the Cybertruck especially hard.

Tesla’s rivals in the electric pickup segment are seeing much better results: Rivian R1T sales grew by 13%, Ford F-150 Lightning by almost 40%, and the GMC Hummer EV by over 20%. The new GMC Sierra EV posted an explosive increase of more than 770%.

Adding to Tesla’s troubles, the company faces a lawsuit following a tragic Cybertruck crash that killed two people. The victims’ families allege that faulty door handles prevented the occupants from escaping the burning vehicle. In response to weak demand, Elon Musk has reportedly begun redirecting unsold Cybertrucks to his other companies — SpaceX and xAI — where the pickups are being used as replacements for older fleet vehicles.