Ford executives are reportedly weighing the future of the F-150 Lightning, the company’s flagship electric pickup, as the automaker confronts declining EV demand, supply costs, and a changing political climate that favors hybrids over full electrics.
According to TechCrunch, internal discussions among senior leadership have included the possibility of ending production entirely, a move that would mark a dramatic reversal for a truck once billed as the symbol of Ford’s electric future.
Production of the Lightning has already been paused indefinitely, as the company reallocates resources toward its gas and hybrid models, including the high-performing F-150 Hybrid.
The Lightning’s Rise and Stall
When Ford launched the F-150 Lightning in 2022, it was hailed as a milestone in EV adoption — the first all-electric version of America’s best-selling vehicle. Early demand was overwhelming; Ford logged over 200,000 preorders in its first year and expanded capacity at its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Michigan.
But by mid-2025, enthusiasm had cooled. Rising production costs, battery material shortages, and a saturated EV market led to steep losses in Ford’s Model e division, which reported a $4.1 billion operating loss earlier this year.
Dealers also reported growing inventory as consumers balked at premium pricing and charging limitations, especially in rural areas.
“We overestimated the pace of EV adoption,” one Ford executive told TechCrunch anonymously. “The hybrid is what customers want right now — not full electric.”
Industry-Wide Retrenchment
Ford’s deliberations echo a broader industry recalibration
