BMW’s electric-vehicle sub-brand is called BMW i.
BMW established BMW i in 2011 as a sub-brand focused initially on plug-in electric vehicles and related sustainable-mobility technology. Its first production models were the i3, a compact battery-electric car, and the i8, a plug-in hybrid sports car. Both were developed under BMW’s “Project i” initiative and used lightweight construction as part of their efficiency strategy.
BMW i vehicles became notable for combining distinctive design with unconventional materials and manufacturing methods. The i3 used a carbon-fibre-reinforced-plastic passenger cell, while the i8 paired a small turbocharged petrol engine with electric motors. BMW later transferred BMW i technology into its mainstream range, including plug-in hybrid models marketed with the iPerformance designation.
Today, BMW uses the “i” identity across fully electric models such as the i4, i5, i7, iX1, iX3 and iX. The letter can therefore appear in a model name as well as in the sub-brand itself. “BMW e” and “BMW Eco” are not the company’s official electric-vehicle sub-brand names.