STANDARDS & COMMITTEES When it comes to putting out car fires, knowing the vehicle's energy source is integral to safety and success. SAE J3108/1 as an identification method for alternative fuel vehicles By Robert Swaim, SAE J2990 Hybrid and EV First and Second Responder Task Force Member. Firefighters responding to car fires increasingly face an identification problem that can pose extreme risks. As highvoltage lithium-based batteries become more common, there are fewer ways to spot whether a car uses an internal combustion engine (ICE) or is a hybrid 36 June 2024 plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV) or an electric vehicle (EV). For instance, the Hyundai Kona is offered in all three versions and Jeep Wranglers come in both ICE and PHEV. Wranglers seemingly all look alike, but there are some differences: a bulge in front of the driver mirror, blue tow hooks, and small blue text stating Wrangler and 4xe. These differences are subtle, and they all become even more inconspicuous on a dark or blue vehicle. Twelve U.S. states and many foreign UPDATE The Signal