- Supercapacitor may power future drive-by-wire systems.
- Supplier plans suggest full-size pickups are next in line.
- Both Ford and GM produce pickups that fit the criteria.
A huge clue surrounding how the next generation of American full-sized pickup trucks will be using drive-by-wire tech has been revealed by a crucial parts supplier, one you’ve likely never even heard of. Clarios is the world’s largest producer of 12-volt car batteries, and it has announced that its new supercapacitor will go into production in 2027.
Supercapacitors play a central role in electronically controlled systems because they charge and discharge rapidly, delivering high voltage for tasks such as drive-by-wire steering and braking. In short, they provide the fast, reliable energy these systems demand.
Powers Of Deduction
There are growing signs that either the next generation of GM trucks or Ford’s F-150 could ditch the traditional mechanical linkages, replacing them with a fully drive-by-wire setup controlled by fast-acting computers, sensors, motors, and electronics. Clarios has confirmed that its new supercapacitor will be built in Michigan, with the Meadowbrook plant expected to handle up to 800,000 units annually.
Read: F-150 Owners Blew Past 118 Million Miles Without Touching The Wheel
AutoNews quotes Clarios CEO Mark Wallace, as saying the company is looking to strengthen its US manufacturing capabilities, while underscoring its commitment to “localized production” of high-performance energy storage systems.
From that data alone, it can be concluded that only Ford and GM’s full-sized pickups are built in Michigan and can meet that kind of volume. It would also tally with each brand’s expected model cycles as well.
From a product-strategy standpoint, Ford appears the more probable early adopter. Historically, each F-Series generation has introduced meaningful technical leaps, from aluminum body construction and downsized turbocharged engines to advanced trailering systems and integrated driver-assist features.
The Blue Oval has shown a consistent willingness to push new technology into its highest-volume nameplate earlier than competitors.
Also: GM Confirms New Silverado And Sierra Are Ready To Break Cover
GM’s pickup updates, while substantial this cycle, appear more evolutionary. Frame upgrades, powertrain revisions, hybridization and feature expansion are expected, but a ground-up control-system architecture shift to full by-wire steering and braking at launch would represent a far more disruptive change than GM typically introduces in a single generational step.
Other Supplier Data Corroborates Theory
It’s not just Clarios’s supercapacitor that would indicate this. ZF has disclosed a multiyear contract to supply millions of electric brake calipers, with a substantial portion allocated specifically for heavy-duty pickups. Brembo is also preparing to launch its own electronically controlled braking hardware, though without naming vehicle applications yet.
While nothing is officially confirmed yet, it seems that the future of full-size pickups is going drive-by-wire. Would this hardware choice influence your purchase decision, or will it be of no consequence to the majority of buyers?
