Clarios, the world’s largest producer of 12-volt automotive batteries, has confirmed that its next-generation supercapacitor will enter production in 2027. This component is far more than a conventional electrical part; it serves as a core element of modern electronic control systems. With the ability to charge and discharge rapidly while delivering high voltage, it is designed to support drive-by-wire steering and braking systems—setups that eliminate traditional mechanical linkages and rely entirely on computers, sensors, and electric motors for control.
Multiple indicators suggest that the next generation of pickups from General Motors or Ford Motor Company—particularly the Ford F-150—could move beyond conventional mechanical systems in favor of a fully by-wire control architecture.
Clarios has specified that production of the new supercapacitor will take place in Michigan at its Meadowbrook facility, with annual capacity of up to 800,000 units. Given that only Ford and GM’s full-size pickups are built in Michigan at volumes matching that scale, the likelihood becomes increasingly compelling.
From a product-strategy perspective, Ford appears better positioned to pioneer such a transition. Each new F-Series generation has historically introduced substantial engineering advancements, from aluminum body construction and downsized turbocharged engines to advanced trailering technologies and integrated driver-assistance systems.
By contrast, GM’s pickup updates—while significant in terms of frame revisions, powertrain enhancements, and hybridization—have generally followed a more evolutionary path. A wholesale shift to steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire systems at launch would represent a more disruptive move than GM typically undertakes within a single generational change.
Further supplier data reinforces the theory. ZF Friedrichshafen has disclosed a multi-year contract to supply millions of electric brake calipers, with a substantial portion allocated to heavy-duty pickups. Meanwhile, Brembo is preparing to introduce its own electronically controlled braking hardware, though specific vehicle applications have yet to be announced.
Taken together, these developments suggest that the next era of full-size pickups may be transitioning decisively from steel and mechanical linkages to software and signal lines.
Source: CarScoops
