BMW to eliminate lower-case "i" from gasoline-powered model names.

BMW is simplifying its model names as it expands its electric vehicle lineup.

The automaker recently confirmed to the BMW Blog that starting with the next-generation X3, which is scheduled to be unveiled in late May, individual gasoline-engine models will no longer have a lowercase "i" in their model names.

The "i" was originally introduced on the 2000 tii in the late 1960s to signify fuel injection. In the future, however, the letter will be reserved exclusively for BMW electric vehicles.

Current designations for gas models generally use a lowercase i after the numerical part, as in 540i for the 5 Series. Trademarks filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office last year suggest what the new practice will be.

Under the new practice, the 540i would simply be 540. In parallel, models like the i5 eDrive40, a 5-series electric car, would simply be the i540.

Similarly, the gasoline engine version of the all-wheel drive X1 will be the X130 xDrive, while the electric version will be the iX130 xDrive. This is in contrast to the current format, which uses designations such as X1 xDrive28i for the gasoline engine X1 and iX1 xDrive30 for the electric version. will replace it.

BMW is not the only automaker changing its naming conventions to accommodate the massive influx of EVs. Mercedes-Benz is gradually diminishing the significance of its EV sub-brand, EQ, starting with the electric G-Class. Instead of calling it the EQG, as had been rumored, Mercedes has named it the G 580 with EQ technology. Audi has also confirmed that it will use even-numbered model names for its EVs and odd-numbered model names for its gasoline vehicles.