Is Ford phasing out diesel trucks?
Ford is not phasing out diesel trucks across its entire lineup, but it has stopped offering diesel in its light-duty F-150 pickup while continuing to provide diesel options for its heavy-duty Super Duty models. The broader company strategy leans toward electrification, which is shaping how Ford allocates diesel and other powertrain offerings.
Where Ford stands today
Understanding Ford’s current approach requires looking at both the light-duty and heavy-duty segments. In recent model years, the F-150—the best-selling vehicle in the United States—no longer includes a diesel option, with gasoline engines and a hybrid available. By contrast, Ford continues to offer a diesel option in its Super Duty lineup (F-250, F-350, and heavier variants) to meet buyers who need maximum towing and payload. This split reflects Ford’s broader push toward electrified powertrains, including the F-150 Lightning and other electric commercial vehicles, as part of its Ford+ strategy.
Light-duty F-Series: F-150
The F-150’s powertrain lineup focuses on gasoline engines and hybrid technology rather than diesel. Prospective buyers can choose among EcoBoost gasoline options, a traditional V8, or the full-hybrid PowerBoost configuration, depending on trim and configuration.
- 2.7L EcoBoost turbocharged gasoline V6
- 3.5L EcoBoost turbocharged gasoline V6
- 5.0L V8 gasoline
- PowerBoost hybrid (gasoline-electric)
Before listing the current options, note that Ford no longer offers a diesel engine in the F-150 for recent model years.
Concluding: For light-duty pickups, Ford has shifted away from diesel toward efficient gasoline and hybrid powertrains, aligning with broader electrification goals.
Heavy-duty F-Series: F-250/350 and beyond
Diesel remains available on Ford’s Super Duty lineup, where the need for high torque, towing capability, and payload justifies a diesel option. The 6.7L Power Stroke turbo diesel continues to serve heavy-duty customers who require robust performance under load.
- 6.7L Power Stroke turbo diesel V8
- Gasoline engine options for lighter workloads
- Heavy-duty transmissions and chassis tuned for towing and payload
Before listing the current heavy-duty options, recognize that diesel is still an official option for these models.
Concluding: Ford’s heavy-duty lineup remains diesel-enabled, preserving a segment where diesel’s torque and durability are valued by commercial fleets and heavy haulers.
What this means for customers and the market
The shift away from diesel in light-duty pickups signals a broader industry trend toward electrification and improved efficiency. For Ford customers, this means reconsidering powertrain choices in the F-150 and evaluating electrified options like the F-150 Lightning or hybrid configurations. For those who specifically need diesel performance, the Super Duty line remains a viable option, maintaining diesel availability where heavy towing and payload are paramount. Ford’s ongoing investments in electrified commercial vehicles also indicate a longer-term transition away from diesel in broader segments.
- Light-duty pickup buyers should focus on gasoline engines or hybrids rather than diesel
- Heavy-duty customers can still rely on diesel for maximum towing and durability
- The market is accelerating toward electrification, with Ford expanding electric and hybrid offerings across trucks and commercial vehicles
Before reviewing the implications, this paragraph sets the stage for how consumer choice is affected by Ford’s diesel strategy.
Concluding: The practical effect is a bifurcated strategy—no diesel in most light-duty pickups, continued diesel in heavy-duty trucks, and a growing portfolio of electrified models to satisfy a shifting market.
Summary
Ford is not eliminating diesel entirely, but it is retiring diesel from its light-duty F-150 and prioritizing gasoline engines, hybrids, and electric trucks in that segment. Diesel remains available on the heavy-duty Super Duty lineup to meet demanding towing and payload requirements. Overall, Ford’s direction reflects a broader industry move toward electrification while preserving diesel where it still serves a clear, high-demand purpose.
Are diesel trucks being phased out?
California has decided to abandon its groundbreaking regulations phasing out diesel trucks and requiring cleaner locomotives because the incoming Trump administration is unlikely to allow the state to implement them.
Can I legally delete my diesel truck in 2025?
No, it is not legal to delete a diesel truck in 2025, as tampering with emissions equipment remains a federal offense under the Clean Air Act. Despite some discussions of regulatory rollbacks, the EPA has confirmed that these changes do not legalize deletes and that the existing regulations prohibiting tampering with emissions systems still apply. Penalties for illegal deletes can include civil fines and other consequences.
Why deleting is still illegal
- Federal law: Deleting emissions equipment is prohibited by the Clean Air Act, and federal enforcement continues to target businesses that sell or install delete kits.
- No changes to the law: While there have been discussions and proposed reviews of some regulations, these have not resulted in changes to the law that make deleting a diesel truck legal.
- EPA confirmation: The EPA has publicly stated that it will continue to enforce the law against tampering with emissions systems, clarifying that proposed changes do not legitimize deletes.
Potential consequences
- Fines: The EPA can issue significant civil penalties, which can be up to $37,500 per day for major violations.
- Lawsuits: Individuals or organizations can file lawsuits against owners of deleted trucks, requiring them to prove the truck meets emissions standards.
- Other penalties: Depending on the jurisdiction, there can be other consequences, such as local fines and penalties.
Will 2026 diesel trucks have DEF?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued updated voluntary guidance for model year 2026 and older diesel engines and equipment, allowing manufacturers to revise their Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system software to adjust SCR related inducements.
Why is Ford discontinuing the 3.0 diesel?
Ford discontinued the 3.0L diesel engine for the F-150 due to a combination of low sales, high cost, and competition from its own PowerBoost hybrid, which offered more performance for a lower price. Customers overwhelmingly preferred the EcoBoost gas engines and the new hybrid, which provided better power, towing capacity, and a more complete package with features like Pro Power Onboard.
Reasons for discontinuation
This video explains why Ford discontinued the 3.0L Power Stroke diesel engine: 46sPickup Truck Plus SUV TalkYouTube · Jul 12, 2021
- Low sales and customer preference: Ford reported that customers overwhelmingly chose the EcoBoost gasoline engines and the new PowerBoost hybrid over the diesel. The diesel engine's sales take rate was low, failing to meet Ford's expectations.
- High cost: The diesel engine was a significant and expensive option, sometimes costing over $5,000$ 5 comma 000$5,000 more than comparable gasoline engines. The PowerBoost hybrid was also a more affordable alternative, undercutting the diesel's price by about $500$ 500$500.
- Competition from the PowerBoost hybrid: The PowerBoost hybrid offered more horsepower (430430430 vs. 250250250) and torque (570570570 lb-ft vs. 440440440 lb-ft) than the diesel. It also offered a higher maximum towing capacity and payload, along with other benefits like the Pro Power Onboard generator system, which was not available with the diesel.
- Lack of competitiveness: The 3.0L diesel was not as fuel-efficient as its rivals from Ram and Chevy, and its performance was less impressive than the F-150's other engine options.
- Other factors: Diesel engines have more expensive oil changes and require the regular purchase of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) for modern emissions systems. The engine was also borrowed from Land Rover, suggesting a less significant R&D and marketing investment from Ford compared to its domestic engine options.
