Why you’ll soon never have to change your brake fluid again
From liquid to power
The classic braking system, where hydraulic brake fluid pushes the calipers together, has had its day, they think at ZF and Brembo. The German and Italian companies are both working on a new generation of brakes that work completely electrically. The idea is simple: instead of hydraulics, an electric motor is now used to operate the calipers.
When will we see this on the road?
Brembo is already marketing a fully electronic system this year called Sensify. That uses electronic calipers on all four wheels. Which car brand will get the scoop is still a secret. ZF offers another system, opting for an intermediate step: the Electro-Mechanical Braking (EMB) system combines hydraulic brakes on the front wheels and electronic brakes at the rear. ZF expects this system to go into production in 2028.
What are the benefits?
Because it eliminates the need for brake fluid, you never have to replace it either. Corrosion on brake lines is also a thing of the past, because you no longer need a brake line. The electric motors simply have a power cable to supply them with power. In addition, the electronic control allows for faster and more precise braking. That can provide shorter braking distances and better control, especially in slippery or wet weather. The system automatically adjusts to conditions simply by electronically adjusting the pressure.
Who dares?
A key question remains whether drivers will feel safe in a car in which there is no longer a physical connection between the brake pedal and the brakes. Yet this idea is not entirely new. Tesla and Lexus have already introduced steer-by-wire systems on the Cybertruck and RZ, where steering is controlled electrically rather than via a traditional steering column. If that technology is accepted, then the step to brake-by-wire may not be as big a deal. Especially if you never have to stop by the garage to replace a brake line again.